Kozlova's Nutcracker
Company:
VALENTINA KOZLOVA'S DANCE CONSERVATORY COMPANY
Whitney and Valentina Kozlova, photo: Boz SwopeVALENTINA KOZLOVA'S DANCE CONSERVATORY COMPANY in the full-length
NUTCRACKER
Guest: MARGO SAPPINGTON as the Countess Drosselmeyer
2 Performances
Saturday December 6 at 3 PM & 7 PM
Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway (at 95th Street)
Tickets: $40; $20 for children & senior citizens
Valentina Kozlova's Dance Conservatory Company returns to Symphony Space for its annual delightful production of Tchaikovsky's full-length NUTCRACKER, Saturday December 6 at 3 PM & 7 PM. Guest Margo Sappington, who created the choreography for Act I, will also portray the glamorous Countess Drosselmeyer, joining the company of professional dancers and students of Kozlova's midtown school.
Leading the large company for the 3 PM performance are
Nikita Boris as the Sugar Plum Fairy, partnered by her Cavalier Jack Furlong
Caroline Grossman will play Clara
7 PM performance
Brecke Swan, Sugar Plum Fairy, will be partnered by Cavalier Justin Valentine
Isabelle Breier will play Clara
The Snow Pas de Deux will be danced at both performances by Anna Guerrero and Revital Naroditski
Act II has been staged by Kozlova after Petipa and Vaninonen, formerly with the Kirov Ballet. Following the traditional "Nutcracker," Kozlova's production has a full Snow Scene with pas de deux, into the Kingdom of Sweets with all the divertissements - Russian, Chinese, Spanish, Arabian, Marzipan, Mother Ginger, Waltz of the Flowers, and the Grand pas de deux for the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier.
Valentina Kozlova, born in Moscow and trained at the Bolshoi Ballet School, performed with the Bolshoi Ballet from 1973-79 and was promoted to Principal Dancer in 1975. While on tour with the Company in 1979, she defected in Los Angeles and immediately was in great demand as guest artist with companies around the world. After appearing on Broadway as Vera Baronova in the revival of "On Your Toes," she joined New York City Ballet as Principal Dancer and remained with the Company until 1995. Kozlova continued to perform with her own company, Ballet: The Daring Project, which she co-directed with Margo Sappington. In 2003, the ballerina opened her midtown Manhattan dance school, providing students with the highest level of dance instruction based on traditional Vaganova technique combined with Balanchine's fast footwork. Also active in international ballet competitions, Kozlova has been a judge and coach on many occasions. Her own International Ballet Competition was seen twice in Boston before relocating to New York City, and last year expanded to include a Contemporary Choreographers and Dancers Competition.
Photo: Whitney and Valentina Kozlova © Boz Swope
