The upcoming performance of ‘The Nutcracker” in Scotts Valley had the crème de la crème of coaching this week, during a visit by Sascha Radetsky of the world-renowned American Ballet Theatre in New York.
The Santa Cruz-born dancing sensation took some time while he was in town to help local performers perfect challenging lifts and turns from the show’s grand pas de deux.
Radetsky, a 32-year-old soloist for ABT, started dancing at the age of 5 and has toured internationally, as well as all over the United States. To date, his name has received more than 5 million hits on Google, and last year he wrote an article about battling male dancer stereotypes in Newsweek.
“It’s great to be here helping at home,” said Radetsky, who was in town for his brother’s wedding.
Radetsky, who starred in the 2000 hit movie “Center Stage,” said he started dancing because his sister did. The budding dancer then trained with the San Francisco Ballet School and was invited to study the art at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow.
He has appeared in many television shows and starred in the PBS movie “Home at Last” and the NBC series “Midnight Caller.” He married fellow ABT soloist Stella Abrera in Santa Cruz in 2006.
“We’re just thrilled to have his help,” said Shannon Cullem, “The Nutcracker” co-director.
The Scotts Valley premiere rendition of the traditional holiday show is put on by the International Academy of Dance and Nor Cal Dance Co.
Cullem, owner of the academy, said Radetsky practices at the studio when he visits town.
The academy was housed above the Quik Stop on Scotts Valley Drive before it moved to a space near Costco in Santa Cruz.
Emily Zimmerman, who will play the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy, worked with Radetsky and got several pointers on technique from the professional.
“He really helped,” said Zimmerman, 24, a student at University of California, Santa Cruz. “I really feel a difference.”
Co-director Melanie Useldinger said she danced Zimmerman’s role years ago and was pleased to see Radetsky’s contributions to the dance.
“The grand pas de deux is a difficult piece, and our dancers have really benefited from his help,” she said.
Open auditions for “The Nutcracker” took place in September, and Useldinger said she was delighted by the turnout of talented dancers. The show has a cast of 60 and will open Dec. 3 at Bethany University, featuring dancers from all over the area.
“Most of the lead roles are played by kids from Scotts Valley,” Useldinger said. “We’re really excited that this is the first showing in town.”
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