The Herald Statesman from Yonkers, New York • 53

fr. f.i 'i I 1 fif Section Gannett NewspapersWednesday, November 26, 1997 m- Reason of celebration i V''r a i i i -i Holiday entertainment Thanksgiving tradition Soaring pop sounds Staff Writer Tatum Hannon thinks it's the magical aspect of the story of The Nutcracker that makes it an enduring holiday favorite. The 18-yearold Hastings resident and first-year student at the Purchase Conservatory of Dance will play Clara in Nutcracker 97. ft y.K si IX W. A- Five performances of the seasonal clas-willbe presented Dec.

5-7 at the sic r. WsstdiestBr BaNst Company wH perform "The Nutcracker' at the County Canter. 62X Patrons may attend champagne galas with the cast on Dec. 5 and 6 for a $10 donation. 738-7210.

The Dance Theatre In ttfastchaatar will present A Colonial Nutcracker at 8 p.m. Dec. 13 at Paramount Center for the Arts in Peekskill. The Aill-length production, which features lavish sets and costumes, is set in Colonial Yorktown Heights. Tickets for the original performance is $20 for adults, $10 for children up to age 18.

The center is at 1008 Brown St 739-2333. A menacing mouse king, dazzling snowflakes and waltzing flowers highlight the Woetchoetar1 Battel Company production of The Nutcracker, which will be presented at 1 p.m. Dec. 19 and at 3 and 7 p.m. Dec.

20 at the Westchester County Center in White Plains. More. than 80 dancers and guest artists will perform in this production. Advance tickets are $11 for adults, $9 for children under age 10 and senior citizens with a Westchester County senior citizen ID card. All tickets will be $15 on the day of the show.

The 'County Center is at the intersection of Central Avenue, the Bronx River Parkway and Tarrytown Road. 242-PARK. The Moscow State Battel and the 1 Moscow Symphony Orchestra will debut their new Russian Nutcracker at Purchase College Dec. 26-28. Artistic director Nikolai Dorochov ofthe Bolshoi Theater leads a cast of 44 Russian artists that includes a number of medalists from the world leading ballet competitions.

Prims ballerina Anna Dorosh makes her American debut as Masha (Clara). Among the highlights ofthe intricate set will be a tree that grows to 70 feet tall. The production features new choreography by Oleg Nikolayev, 300 elaborate costumes and a hand-painted set Performance times are 730 p.m. Dec. 26; 2 and 730 p.m.

Dec. 27; and 1 and 5 p.m. Dec. 28. Tickets range from $22 to $65, with discounts available for senior citizens and children.

Purchase College is at 735 Anderson Hill Road. Performing Arts Center of Purchase College. The classic ballet featuring music by Tchaikovsky follows the story of little Clara, who receives the gift of a Nutcracker. Clara falls asleep and dreams of a fantastic adventure in which she battles to save the Nutcracker: Suddenly, her beloved Nutcracker is transformed into a handsome prince who takes her on a journey to the enchanted land of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Work for the Purchase production started early.

Weve been rehearsing since September so we've done a lot or preparation for it, says Harmon, who is no stranger to the Nutcracker story. She participated in Purchase Nutcracker productions each year from 1969 to 1995 in a variety of roles. While the role of Clara usually goes to an area high schooler, Harmon got this year tumor. Before starting her Purchase studies, Hannon trained at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, at the School of American Ballet and with the Purchiue Youth Ballet She also has 1 with the Dance Theatre of The New York City Balet has presented George Balanchine The Nutcracker each year since 1954. This year production opens Friday and runs through Jan.

4 at the New York State Theater at Lincoln Center in Manhattan. Highlighted by a grand finale that involves close to a quarter of a million American Ballet Theatre principal dancers Amanda McKerrow and Robert Hill will dance the featured roles of Sugar Plum Fairy and Her Cavalier. Joining the guest artists in the production will be members of the Purchase Dance Corps, the Purchase Youth Ballet and children from the area. The show is produced by the Purchase Conservatory of Dance under the artistic direction of Kazuko Hirabayshi. Choreography is by the professional Conservatory faculty, the production will feature elaborate sets ana costumes, with the score played by the Purchase watts of lighting, the production uses two alternating casts of 50 children I children who are.

students of the School of American Ballet Afternoon and evening performances are scheduled, with tickets ranging from $14 to $74 The New York State Theater is at' Lincoln Center, Broadway and 65th Street 212-870-5570. of Gerald Steichen. Nutcracker 97 will be presented at 7:15 p.m. Dec. 2 and 7 p.m.

Dec. and 1 and 5 p.m. Dec. 7. Tickets range from $15 -HE to $25.

The Performing Arts Center is on -the Purchase College campus, 735 Anderson Hill Road. 251-6200. i presents its 22nd annual production ofVThe Nutcracker at 8:15 p.m. Dec. 2:15 and 8:15 p.m.

Dec. and 2:15 p.m. Dec. 7 at the Music HalD3 Main Tanytown. The ballet will feature students of the school as well as guest performers from the New York City Ballet and the School of American Ballet Tickets are $14 and $20 ($12 for children under age 12 and senior citizens over age Nutcracker Y7" is just one of many aytale reductions of the classic holiday Rehearsals are just beginning in the theater, moving from the dance studios to the actual stage.

It not that hard of a transition but you have to get used to working with the props, Harmon says. eing presented in the area this season. Following is a sampling of other area productions: WEEKEND PICKS Excitement balloons at Macys Parade Judy Collins sings Yfcile songs in Peekskill The Macy parade hotline, seen on TV and in film. The native New Yorker, known for his brand of emotional and physical humor, focuses on monologuesderived from everyday' experiences. Wham 830 and 10:45 p.m.

Friday. Where: Bananas Comedy Club, Ramada Inn, 540 Saw Mill River RoadRoute 9 Elmsford. -AAnlesiom 15. Momationc 5920700. ai.emn OWiTWW 212494-4495, notes that itart lining parade watchers start I Start the holiday season Saturday with Judy Collins at the Paramount Center.

One ofthe best loved folk artists of her time, Collins isknown for songs like Both Sides Now and Send in the Clowns. Americans have enjoyed a long-standing love affair with her limber, beautifal voice that ranges from stellar to husky. In this special holiday concert Collins will share her favorite JudyCoMna GariWd wUfly highln Manhattan during Macy Thanksgiving Day Parade. That the recommendation ofthe organisers of the 71st annual edition of the Macy Thanksgiving Day Parade. The holiday tradition steps of at 9 a.m.

tomorrow on -Central Park West at 77th Street in Manhattan, and spectators are again expected to line the two-LB mile route. The parade will travel south through Columbus Visit Bronx Zoo at night Friday evening marks the opening ofthe Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights festi-. val. Thousands of tiny light bulbs will transform the zoo into a winter wonderland with a forest of trees, sparkling pathways and adorned historic buildings. This unique Circle, pick up Broadway and continue south through Times through' the route as early as 7 a.m.

Spectators (who should remember to dress appropri-: ately for spending uite a few hours outdoors) probably wont be disappointed. This year event will include 17 giant helium bat loons, 18 novelty balloons, 1,200 balloon handlers, seven falloons (a Macy creation that unites elements of both floats and balloons), 21 floats, six toy floats, 44 clown units, 14 marching bands representing 13 different states, more than 90 costumed characters and celebrities ranging from Shari Lewis to Deborah Gibson to Randy Travis. Four new balloons Arthur Bumpe, Rugrats and Ms. Petula Pig are expected to draw much attention. New falloons World of Wiggle and Dr.

Seuss Grinch join the returning Paddington Bear. Christmas songs like Silver Bells, Joy to the World, and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. For portions of the concert she will be joined on stage by the Taghkanic Chorale. Wham 8 p.m. Saturday.

Mmu Paramount Center for the Arts, 1006 Brown St, Peekskill. Admission: $30, $3250. Information: 739-2333. Wrapping up the parade, as it does every year, will be the arrival of Santa Sleigh. The 50-foot-loiig carriage, a replica of a winter snow goose lined with green velvet upholstery and trimmed with Swiss silver bells, holds Santa, who will wish everyone a happy holiday season.

Those not braving the crowds can tune in to live coverage of the parade on television. WNBC-TVChannel 4 will ha ve Katie Couric, Al Roker and Willard Scott cm hand from 9 a.m. to noon to provide commentary. nighttime adventure showcases giant- -sized illuminated animal sculptures swinging in the trees and roaming the grounds. Wham Special evening hours: 5399 p.m.

Sundays- Thursdays, 530 p.m.-9 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays. Whotoc Bronx Zoo, 185th Street and Southern Boulevard, Bronx. Mmleolont $5, $3 seniors and children 2-12, free children under 2, parking Information: 718-397-1010. -IkinuUn Ifciiirf Square to 38th Street, the end of the public viewing area on Broadway.

The marchers will continue down Broadway to 34th Street, however the area below 38th Street is restricted to television crews. -The parade concludes at 34th Street and Seventh Avenue, with the final block offering limited viewing only from the south side of 34th Street Stanrtap comedy Comedian Bobby Collins, of VH1 Stand-up makes an appearance at Bananas Comedy Club Friday. In addition to his stand-up comedy work, Collins has been a.