There’s more than one way to crack a nut.
That’s certainly true in Colorado, where Christmas audiences have a choice of a dozen or more variations of “The Nutcracker.”
The Colorado Ballet is presenting 24 performances of its big-scale take on the beloved holiday work, complete with first-class dancing and elaborate, new sets and costumes courtesy of the San Francisco Ballet.
If that deluxe version is the Mercedes-Benz of area productions, David Taylor Dance Theatre’s offering could be considered the equivalent of a Toyota Celica – solid, dependable and less expensive.
It’s a commendable effort by the small company, which does a lot with a little, managing to muster 60 company members, apprentices and students for the production.
But to enjoy this buyer-friendly “Nutcracker,” it’s a matter of having the right expectations – no ballet equivalents of heated seats or fancy navigational guides here.
Sunday evening’s sold-out audience at the Lakewood Cultural Center did just that, giving the production a well-deserved, enthusiastic reception.
Unlike the Colorado Ballet’s version, Taylor’s show relies on recorded accompaniment – an unfortunate concession, given the enduring magic of Tchaikovsky’s score. But it is an understandable one, given the high cost of an orchestra.
In another nod to economy, this production does not have much in the way of sets. Instead, Taylor makes clever use of projections, especially during the Act 2 variations, in which projected backdrops boldly set the mood for each section.
Helping make up for the sets’ sparseness are elaborate, appealing costumes designed by George Peters, especially the beautiful, white tutus of the Snowflakes and the festive Candies in the Kingdom of the Sweets.
Again, because of the company’s size, Taylor does not have the same caliber of dancers as the Colorado Ballet, and a few times this lack is more obvious than might be desired.
For the most part, his company is up to the task, including Kelly Schaefer and David Armendariz, who look comfortable together as Clara and the Prince. Deserving particular note are the wonderfully acrobatic Chris Montoya, who has several roles, including Court Jester, and striking soloist Kristen Glazier as the Dew Drop Fairy.
One of the evening’s most engaging duets comes during the Arabian variation, with Asante I and Tracy Milakovic handling the highly physical, aptly exotic combinations with skill and real showmanship.
Taylor, the production’s choreographer, does a masterful job of showcasing his company. He carefully matches the difficulty of movement to the capabilities of his performers, camouflaging any weaknesses.
The only significant flaws in his choreography come during a few awkward transitions. Clara and the Prince, for example, suddenly appear in the Land of Snow, with no sense of having traveled there.
For the most part, Taylor’s version follows standard approaches, except for one fascinating anomaly: the notion that the entire ballet is a dream, including the party scene.
In his take, that usually straightforward section takes on a stylized, slightly unsettling Alice in Wonderland or Dr. Seuss quality. The parents look like caricatures, with exaggerated hairdos and hats and everyone wearing storybook black-and-white costumes.
Fine arts critic Kyle MacMillan can be reached at 303-820-1675 or kmacmillan@denverpost.com.
“The Nutcracker”
David Taylor Dance Theatre|Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S. Allison Parkway, Lakewood; 2 and 7:30 p.m. today, Wednesday and Thursday|$32 and $35 general public, $28 seniors and $20 children|303-987-7845 or www.lakewood.org.
