December 9-16, 2004

artpicks

SugaPlums Dancing

by Deni Kasrel

dance

Last year ContempraDance Theatre lifted holiday spirits at the Painted Bride with Philly-Nutt-Crak-Up, a send-up of The Nutcracker. It was such a success that this season the company is staging another spoof with a Yuletide theme: Twas the Nite the SugaPlum Crak-ed.

Described by Contempradance director Gail Vartanian as "campy fun," it's an original parody combining jazz, hip-hop, ballet and modern dance. Characters include breakdancing mice, a hip-hop Santa, large stockings that spring to life, a rappin' SugaPlum Fairy and dancing reindeer. All of those are at least loosely based on traditional Christmas tales, but other characters come from some unlikely sources—the Star Wars and Matrix movies, for instance. With a cast that includes 30 children ages 5 through 16, the piece aims to appeal to all ages.

Young and old can also get a kick out of "Hangeraphobia," a silly piece about the frustrations of sorting through a tangled closet. And then there's a pretty duet, "Exotic Birds," intended to evoke two feathered friends staking out their respective territories. "We're trying to keep the program pretty much for everyone. It's all lighter pieces that are very dancy," Vartanian says. As a special bonus, the Sunday matinee has a postshow workshop where kids can meet the dancers, ask questions and even learn some of the moves. (Advance reservations are required.)

Twas the Nite the SugaPlum Crak-ed, Fri., Dec. 10, 8 p.m., Sat., Dec. 11, 2 and 8 p.m., Sun., Dec. 12, 2 p.m., $20-$40, Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine St., 215-925-9914.