By: Pablo A. Tariman
03:30 AM November 23rd, 2015
THE FRIDAY-NIGHT victims of the Apec-induced traffic were the dance afficionados who, against all odds, went to watch “The Nutcracker,” mounted by the Philippine Ballet Theater (PBT) with Russian ballet master Anatoly Panasyukov at the helm.
Opening on a Friday night when traffic was at its worst, this latest Manila production of “Nutcracker” was a balm to one’s weary spirit, with its well-woven tale of little Clara (Regine Magbitang) who dreams of her Nutcracker coming to life and gets the ultimate Christmas treat of her young life.
The fairly impressive and moveable sets framed the action with dispatch, complete with the spectacle of a heaven-bound Clara who would meet her Sugar Plum Fairy (Loby Pimentel) and her gaggle of dancing sweets.
What probably made this version special was the participation of some 100 young dancers from several dance studios in assorted roles, from the young army of the Nutcracker and the children of the Mother Ginger (danced with pizzazz by Rolby Lacaba) to the playmates of Clara.