Reviews for A Christmas Carol

Ballet: "A Christmas Carol"

Review for KUNM - Jim Terr © 2011

The cultural events I make sure to attend each year have boiled down to just three: The Santa Fe Fiesta Children's Pet Parade, the Sunday morning bluegrass gospel concert at the Santa Fe Fairgrounds - usually in August - and any of the youth ballets staged annually by the excellent New Mexico Dance Theater in Los Alamos.

I am no expert on ballet, in fact I couldn't even say I'm a fan of ballet. I've seen a couple professional, top-line ADULT ballets and really didn't enjoy them that much, for whatever reason. But there's something about the youth ballets in Los Alamos that I always find thrilling. It's not just the youthful enthusiasm - though that, too, of course - but the level of professionalism, the excellent production and sets, the excellent music and timing - and the huge community participation - it's always a fabulous experience for me and whatever other guests I've attended with.

This year's production, playing this one final weekend, is Charles Dickens' "A CHRISTMAS CAROL." Most of us are probably familiar with this story of an old man facing the regrets and the narrowing of his miserly life, and what could be more appropriate in this time of the "Occupy" protests and America taking a closer look at just how much money it takes to make you happy or unhappy?

But beyond that, I suppose as a function of getting older, A CHRISTMAS CAROL is for me a searing look at the psychology of how our decisions and actions in life gradually squeeze the joy out of it. And this ballet adaptation really captures that spirit very poignantly, in many startling details, and in the very apt musical score.

In fact, in watching this production, it occurred to me how much the story is similar to the modern short story that many of us consider the best ever written, A BULLET IN THE BRAIN, by Tobias Wolffe, likewise a very graphic story of how a man's heart and scope close down over a lifetime of becoming grasping, judgmental and cynical. One of the famous dream sequences in this story, the ghost of the future nightmare, is truly frightening, an artful portrayal of terror, and in fact reminded me of an incredibly vivid and frightening nightmare I had about a year ago, from which I awoke wondering whether I had gone crazy or gone to hell - really!

Many of the Los Alamos company's students have gone on to major ballet companies and careers, and this production features several adult dancers as well. A CHRISTMAS CAROL is a thrilling, moving, thought-provoking production I would recommend without hesitation. Information on this final weekend's performances can be found at www.NMDT.org, or by calling the New Mexico Dance Theater at 505-920-9134.

Susan Baker-Dillingham captures the emotional hard spot in A Christmas Carol

Review by Kelly Dolejsi

As a former company member, I was completely predisposed to adore New Mexico Dance Theater Performance Company's current production of "A Christmas Carol," so it's no surprise that I did. But this is a ballet nearly anyone would enjoy because it has a great story, fantastic performances and that foxy emotional edge that Director Susan Baker-Dillingham always manages to bring out.

"A Christmas Carol" is based on Dickens' novella by the same name, the classic tale of Scrooge, Marley and the three Christmas ghosts that convince the old penny-pincher to love his fellow man more than his own net worth. It's a timeless message and one of which we can all use the occasional reminding. Also, while the Ghost of the Future is a little scary, the story is absolutely family-friendly. I think the scene with the Ghost of the Future was actually my 1- year-old's favorite part. It was certainly mine.

The hulking Chris Jeffery is the perfect Grim Reaper. He's a strong, commanding, imposing figure. But best of all, he's an impeccable partner. In "A Christmas Carol," he partners with Frank Macias, who dances the part of Scrooge. And while it is challenging to lift a lithe female ballerina, it is amazing to lift another man. Macias himself is a masterful dancer, quick-footed, musical, and eloquent. Other standouts include Alicia Bowyer as the Ghost of the Past and Alice Veirs as the Ghost of the Present. Andrew Jeffery is the perfect, somber Tiny Tim.

Despite many spectacular moments, I keep going back to the scene with the Ghost of the Future. Jeffery and the corps dancers each wear black veils over their faces while they dance, and the effect of the veils combined with the choreography is chilling. As I sat, engrossed in the movement, it occurred to me how horrifying Dickens' story really is -- how many people die before even realizing their lives have no meaning. Baker-Dillingham always seems to find that emotional hard-spot in the stories she chooses, and to exploit it quite poignantly. This quality is what makes her ballets reverberate in the mind, what makes them unforgettable. I loved dancing in NMDT's "Dracula," "Snow White," "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," "Cinderella," "The Sleeping Beauty," and "Alice." Each of Baker-Dillingham's productions is an all-out, magical, beautiful, original tour de force, and I always felt ridiculously lucky to be involved. "A Christmas Carol" is just as absorbing and triumphant as her previous works. The only thing I didn't like is that I couldn't be onstage.

"A Christmas Carol" will be presented at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20. Tickets are available at Uli's Cottontails or at the door. Tickets are $12 for adults, $8 for seniors and students, and free for children four and under.