Police chief joins District Attorney in Nutcracker

Tonight, the curtain will rise on Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre’s annual production of Tchaikovsky’s Christmas classic “The Nutcracker.”
Among the professional ballet performers and youth ballet students taking the stage will be none other than Santa Cruz County District Attorney Bob Lee and Scotts Valley Police Department Chief John Weiss.
It’s something of a tradition, Lee said, for public figures to participate in local productions of the ballet, citing former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s roles in past performances.
This year will be Lee’s third performance in the annual production at the Civic Auditorium in downtown Santa Cruz, but his first in the role of the father of Clara, the story’s heroine.
Lee, who jokingly referred to himself as the “nutcracker of the justice system,” said that when the theater company approached him three years ago about taking a role in the show, he jumped at the chance.
“The whole thing is very fun,” Lee said. “Any time groups ask me to do something that helps kids, I feel it’s part of my public duty.”
During the past two performances, Lee performed with Santa Cruz County Treasurer and former 5th District Supervisor Fred Keeley. When Keeley was unavailable for this year’s performances, Lee called his friend Weiss.
“I thought John was a natural,” Lee said. “He’s very light on his feet.”
Weiss, who is an avid painter and writer in his free time, said he figured the offered role as a father at the big Christmas party was worth a try.
He said his role includes a ballroom dance number and a sort of marching dance.
“I’m not being asked to do any complex ballet, thank God,” Weiss said laughing. “I’m not sure how this is going to go over with the boys on the SWAT team.”
What was particularly challenging for Weiss was finding the time for the multiple weekly rehearsals, alongside his duties as chief of police.
“It’s been an interesting experience,” he said. “It’s always a challenge.”
Artistic director Robert Kelley applauded Weiss for his positive attitude and the sense of humor that he shared with his cast mates — and his flair for theatrics.
“I imagine it’s different from the daily grind of (police work),” Kelley said.
“He does quite a lot of dancing, quite a bit of pantomime.”
Both Lee and Weiss said they were impressed by the professionalism of their fellow performers, particularly the youth involved.
“The best way to keep kids out of crime is to keep them busy, especially in something that is positive and encouraging,” Lee said.
The show is directed by Kelley and Diane Cypher and features the 55-piece Santa Cruz Ballet Orchestra, led by John Larry Granger.
At a glance
WHAT: Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre’s “The Nutcracker”
WHERE: Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, 307 Church St., in Santa Cruz
WHEN: 8 p.m. today, Dec. 16, and 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 17 and 18
TIX: Tickets can be bought online at www.scbt.org or www.santacruztickets.com; in person at the auditorium box office; or by phone at 420-5260.