A Traditional ‘Nutcracker’

While clutching the nutcracker doll given to her by an uncle, young Clara Silberhaus will fall into a deep slumber Friday on stage at the Oxnard Civic Auditorium, thus continuing the annual presentation of Tchaikovsky’s dreamy holiday classic, “The Nutcracker.”

Now in their 13th year of collaboration, the Channel Islands Ballet and the Ventura County Symphony--with help from the Westside Ballet Company--will present four showings of the ballet.

True to tradition, Clara’s snowy Christmas Eve dream has her frolicking with dancing furry mice, toy soldiers, the Sugar Plum Fairy and the handsome prince. This year’s Clara, though, will feature the dancing prowess of three local ballerinas. Megan Horton (of Camarillo), Sabrina Rosengren (of Ventura) and Amy Womer (from Camarillo) will share the lead role.

Also featured this year is a new and improved Christmas tree--a Nutcracker necessity that miraculously grows on stage. Five men will manipulate a system of pulleys backstage to ensure its believability.

Performances will be held 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Reserved seating tickets are $25, $20, $15 and $10. Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling 643-8646 or 486-2424. Tickets are also available at the Ventura County Symphony office (3451 Foothill Road, Ventura), at the Oxnard Civic Auditorium and Channel Islands Ballet Company (both at 800 Hobson Way) and Ventura Ballet (1718 E. Main St.) Remaining tickets will be sold at the gate.