Arts scene (11/28/08)

Published: November 26th, 2008 03:22 AM
Last Modified: November 26th, 2008 09:08 PM

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FRAN DURNER / Daily News archive 2006

The Oregon Ballet Theatre brings its version of the George Balanchine-choreographed Nutcracker Ballet to Alaska for the last time this year.

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DANCE

See Balanchine's 'Nutcracker' while you can

The George Balanchine version of "The Nutcracker" presented by Oregon Ballet Theatre will make its fourth Thanksgiving appearance in Anchorage this weekend at the Atwood Concert Hall.

The Anchorage Concert Association will bring up a different company and production next year, so feast your eyes on Balanchine's holiday magic while you can.

More than 120 local dancers tried out for this year's production, setting a record for the number of people auditioning for parts, said marketing director Jason Grenn.

Extending its local reach, the Concert Association will collect food for the Food Bank of Alaska during all performances. Anyone who donates a food item will be entered in a drawing to win four tickets to the musical "Annie" in March.

Local dancers coordinated by Alaska Dance Theatre will join the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra and Oregon Ballet in performing "The Nutcracker" at 2 and 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday and 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday at the Atwood Concert Hall. Tickets are $20 to $40 (www.centertix.net, 272.1471).

-- Dawnell Smith

MUSEUM

It's Crafts Weekend, and admission's free

Whether on a quest for gifts, books or merriment, you will certainly find a lot to choose from during the Anchorage Museum's Crafts Weekend today through Sunday.

The event includes live music and locally made art and crafts ranging from clay tiles, pottery and felted mittens to wood bowls, soap and ivory/bead jewelry.

The museum selects artists to contribute to the fair, now in its 20th year, and pairs the event with the ReadAlaska Book Fair on the second floor, which showcases Alaska publishers, writers and illustrators such as Kaylene Johnson, the author of "Sarah," and Hal Gage, who took the photographs in "Ice: A Passage Through Time."

The music gets going today at 3 p.m. with Lia Zito and David McCormick on fiddle and guitar, followed by a full weekend of live performances, talks and demonstrations. Visitors can also peruse this year's Wonderland of Toys exhibit.

The fair kicks off from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday at the museum, 121 W. Seventh Ave. (www.anchoragemuseum. org). Admission is free.

-- Dawnell Smith

THEATER

'The Boyfriend' charms audiences

The Roaring '20s, French Riviera and innocent mirth before an economic storm make "The Boyfriend" a musical of our times.

Though Sandy Harper describes the production as "sheer fluff and fun and great music and dancing," she noted that it also takes place during a time "when young women were making strong leaps of rebellion in terms of style."

Yes, the gals of the flapper era sure knew how to have a good time and get their guys too, or at least they do in "The Boyfriend" by Sandy Wilson.

The original 1953 production became the third-longest-running musical in London or Broadway history, said Harper of Cyrano's Off Center Playhouse, and it continues to charm audiences today.

"The Boyfriend" runs through most of the month with performances at 7 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 21 with additional performances at 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 22 and 23, at Cyrano's, 413 D St.

Tickets are $16 (www.centertix.net, 263-2787). Find out more at www.cyranos.org.

-- Dawnell Smith

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