Commentary
OKC BALLET'S
THE NUTCRACKER
A CLASSIC SUCCESS 

By Nancy P. Condit

Oklahoma City Ballet's two week production of the season favorite The Nutcracker, under the
direction of artistic director  Robert Mills, with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic under the baton of  guest conductor Douglas Droste, finished its two week run on December 19th at the Civic Center with an enthusiastic full house. 

The standout scene "The Land of Snow," with corps dancers as snowflakes, dancing singly, in small groups, a softly formed triangle, and leaping across the stage in white short tutus against a backdrop of light blue. Clara and her Nutcracker Prince, danced by DaYoung Jung and Walker Martin in a last minute substitution, performed a lovely pas de deux. 

"The Kingdom of Sweets" variations were enjoyable. It was especially nice to see principal dancer Ronnie Underwood, who is now one of two ballet masters, partnering Amy Potter. They made the "Arabian Coffee" variation look effortless. Miki Kawamura and Alvin Tovstogray danced the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier in the "Grand Pas De Deux," in which they had a chance to display their virtuosity and nice partnering ability.

The children in both the party act and as little angels opening "The Kingdom of Sweets" performed well, and were charming.

Upcoming performances are The Little Mermaid, February 16 - 18, and petite mort: a triple bill on April 13 - 15.
     

GROWN-UP HOLIDAY FILMS AT
OKC MUSEUM OF ART


What started with an announcement as a one time showing on Christmas Eve of "Die Hard," with Bruce Willis yelling the famous "Yippe ki yo...", at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, has turned into a series of non-Christmasy films to give even ardent holiday enthusiasts a respite from holiday themed films. And drinks are allowed in the auditorium. These films are meant for adults.

This holiday season, the Oklahoma City Museum of Art (OKCMOA) presents "Christmas for Grown-Ups," a series of Christmas cult classics and holiday hidden gems, screening Dec. 21-31.    

"On the heels of our successful Studio Ghibli and Wes Anderson holiday retrospectives, we were excited at the prospect of putting together a more traditional Christmas series this year," said Michael J. Anderson, Ph.D., director of curatorial affairs. "In keeping with the Museum Films philosophy, we sought to offer a fun and festive mix of eclectic holiday fare grounded in artistically accomplished and adventurous work by acclaimed filmmakers."   

"Some films are witty and romantic; others are subversive and satirical," he continued. "From the unrated cut of 'Bad Santa' to a pristine restoration of French New Wave classic 'My Night at Maud's,' there's something for just about everyone.  With our 'Christmas for Grown-Ups' series, we wanted to challenge conventional notions of what holiday films should look and feel like, while also offering Oklahoma City film lovers the opportunity to decompress, have a drink and watch a great movie on the big screen."  

Dr. Anderson added, "We're pleased to screen a number of these titles on 35mm prints, including the urbane 1930s detective caper, 'The Thin Man'; Wong Kar-Wai's sublimely beautiful sci-fi romance, '2046'; and John Huston's masterful final film, a faultless adaptation of James Joyce's 'The Dead.'"  

Tickets are now on sale and are $5 for OKCMOA Members; $9 for adults; $7 for seniors (62+) and college students with IDs. The Samuel Roberts Noble Theater bar offers a variety of beer, wine and spirits for purchase.     

"Christmas for Grown-Ups" opens Thursday, Dec. 21 with a 35mm screening of Arnaud Desplechin's "A Christmas Tale," a captivating and wildly inventive family drama starring iconic French actress Catherine Deneuve.  

For the romantically inclined, there is Whit Stillman's sparkling ensemble comedy, "Metropolitan"; Eric Rohmer's soulful love-triangle drama, "My Night at Maud's"; and Todd Haynes' lush period romance, "Carol." All are perfect options for a low-key date night, especially when paired with the Museum Cafe's specially priced Dinner and a Movie package at $29 per person.  

Other series highlights include a Christmas Eve matinee of the ultimate holiday cult classic: "Die Hard"; Stanley Kubrick's darkly brilliant "Eyes Wide Shut," starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman; and Terry Gilliam's visually dazzling dystopian satire, "Brazil." "Christmas for Grown-Ups" concludes with a New Year's Eve screening of Billy Wilder's Oscar-winning tragicomic masterpiece, "The Apartment."  

For more information on the "Christmas for Grown-Ups" series and more upcoming Museum Films events, visit: www.okcmoa.com/visit/events/christmas-grown-ups

DOWNTOWN OKC
GATHERS MANY EVENTS
IN OKC ON ITS WEBSITE

DOWN TOWN OKC has listed a tremendous number of happenings and things to do in OKC from

Saturday through January, from ice skating, through the OKC Museum of Art, to water taxis -- take out the commas for a really interesting holiday season. Please follow the link to the events: downtownokc.com.

THE MESHUGA NUTCRACKER
MOVIE AT TINSELTOWN,
QUAIL 24 & SPOTLIGHT 
STADIUM 14 TUES. DEC. 19, 7 p.

Rating

PG

Runtime

130 min

Synopsis

Fathom events and Guggenheim Entertainment present The MeshugaNutcracker! – The Chanukah Musical in select cinemas nationwide for a special one-night event on Tuesday, December 19. This musical comedy features the wonderfully silly sensibilities of the folklore of Chelm (a fictional town of fools) underscored by an invigorating Klezmer-ized orchestration of Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker Suite,” including original lyrics that celebrate Chanukah. Add in dancing dreidels, singing sufganiot, and surprise guest stars and you have the perfect recipe for a holiday outing! Jews and non-Jews alike will delight in this original musical celebrating all things Chanukah.

 

[ARTSPACE] AT UNTITLED
IS HAVING A GIFT SALE,
COMEDIC PERFORMANCE,
AND GIFT MAKING WKSHP
THIS WEEK.

Please follow the link for more complete information:
https://www.1ne3.org/ . [Artspace] is open

Tues - Sat: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Closed: Sun & Mon | Free & open to the public | 405.815.9995
1 NE 3rd St Oklahoma City, OK 73104 | © 2017 by Untitled [Artspace]

 

Commentary
R.A.C.E.'S HIP-HOP
NUTCRACKER 
PRESENT 150
HIGH SCHOOL 
DANCERS IN GREAT
SHOW

By Nancy Condit

Last night's performance of R.A.C.E. Dance Company's Hip-Hop Nutcracker, under the direction of R.A.C.E.'s artistic director Hui Cha Poos and the school's dance teachers, brought over 150 dancers
together from seven high schools, one elementary school, R.A.C.E Dance Company, the Men of RACE, Junior and Teen RACE together in a hip-hopping, break dancing, freeze frame, Janet and Michael Jackson style moves, backward somersaulting performance that reverberated through Oklahoma City Community College's Visual and Performing Arts Center. 

The action of bringing so many schools and companies together is quite mind boggling, and speaks to the passion for dance in Oklahoma City, and the hope that we have for future dancers of mature calibre in Oklahoma City.  

Performances continue at 2:00 and 8:00 p.m., Saturday, December 9th at O.C.C.C. located at 7777 S May Ave. in Oklahoma City. Oh, and there were also the more traditional contemporary and jazz  dance moves.

Of particular mention were Daxton Grier Anderson, the grade schooler who danced the part of Carlos, the son being brought up by his single mother, Justyce James - Mom, and Christopher James -- the Nutcracker, his absent father, who takes him through "The Land of Possibilities" after Carlos has fallen asleep.

The schools performing individual dances included Capitol Hill High School, Harding Fine Arts Academy, Northwest Classen High School, Oklahoma Centennial High School, Putnam City North High School, Southeast High School, and U.S. Grant High School, and the elementary students of Prairie Dance Junior Company.

HHN tells the story of a young man who searches for something missing from his life, only to discover that "it,” exists within himself. The take away for the audience is a message of perseverance, family and holiday spirit, writes Hui Cha Poos, following her mission statement for R.A.C.E.

Individual tickets can be purchased for $20 online at tickets.occc.edu or $25 at the door. For more information about HHN, visit: racedance.com.

Commentary

OCU'S HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS 
FROTHY PRECISION BDWY TREAT

By Nancy Condit

Over 130 American Spirit Dancers, directed by Jo Rowan, performed a jazzy, lyrical, tapping - including rhythm, ballet, gospel Broadway style show last night at Oklahoma City University. Favorites like the "March of the Toy Soldiers" and "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" with "Five More Days til Christmas" - and Chanukah were back, along with the "Baking Cookies" with 
gingerbread people in cookie costumes and the lovely lyrical "Song for a Winter's Night."

The program was was very enjoyable, and the Rockettes style precision dances with up to
four rows deep of dancers were really very good.

"Home for the Holidays" runs Dec. 7 through 10 in Oklahoma City University’s Kirkpatrick Auditorium at 2501 N. Blackwelder Ave.

Show times are 8 p.m. Dec. 8 and 9, and 2 p.m. Dec. 9 and 10. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased by calling 405-208-5227 or visiting okcu.edu/tickets. Group rates are available.