Before the Nutcracker

Laguna girls have been kept on their toes in anticipation of tonight, when California Danse Theatre’s Youth Ballet will return with its Nutcracker prequel, “The Enchanted Toy Shoppe.”

Young Orange County ballerinas spent the week putting the finishing touches on the show at their studio in San Juan Capistrano.

Running through their dances in the pink-walled space, the girls wore costumes ranging from a traditional stiff tutu to Pre-Raphaelite fairy creations, cat dolls, Russian dolls and harlequins.

The company’s founder and artistic director, Melissa Allen Bowman, took notes and offered advice to the dancers as they rehearsed.

The main performers range from ages 11 to 17; the majority of them participate in the company’s conservatory, an intensive program geared for the future professional dancer where they have a true French ballet mistress.

The company only teaches classical ballet. Following earlier attempts to introduce other types of dance, Bowman decided to stick with what she was passionate about.

After being selected to perform with Mikhail Baryshnikov’s American Ballet Theatre when she was only 15, Bowman enjoyed a career performing and teaching both in the U.S. and Europe.

She now runs all of ABT’s summer intensives, in addition to operating her own school.

Bowman sees tonight’s performance as an opportunity to introduce new audiences to ballet.

“It’s such a complete method of exercise,” she said. “It’s not only beautiful, but it’s really hard. I don’t think people understand just how hard it is.”

In the production, Santa’s head elf brings a doll from the North Pole to a toymaker to be repaired.

The doll, Charlotte, was meant to be one of a pair of dancing dolls, but they were separated by a cruel elf, and she no longer moves.

A pair of girls attends the toymaker’s Unveiling of the Dolls, and happens across Charlotte, in addition to a number of other beautiful dolls who all perform.

The remainder of the story is a testament to the power of love and generosity.

“As I started choreographing it, the story really took shape,” Bowman said.

The production took a year to create, including six months of intensive work.

“We took our time with it,” Bowman said.

The company has performed the show throughout the area for the past few years, but Bowman introduces new dolls each year.

The result is a quality production that gives its performers the opportunity to learn several different roles, each of which has its own style of performance.

“Each doll has its own persona,” Bowman said.

“It’s kind of like the Nutcracker, but it’s not the same story,” said Lilli Clausen, a Laguna Beach High School senior who plays the Princess Doll and other roles.

As a member of the school’s conservatory, Clausen spends most days each week in classes.

“It was the best school I found that would train me to be a professional dancer,” Clausen said. “It’s really intense, but in a good way.”

She looks forward to performing the show at the Festival of Arts.

“I think it contributes to Laguna’s artistic legacy,” Clausen said.

IF YOU GO

Who: California Danse Theatre’s Youth Ballet

What: “The Enchanted Toy Shoppe”

When: 7 p.m. tonight and Saturday; 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Where: Festival of Arts Forum Theatre, 650 Laguna Canyon Road

Cost: $20

Information: (949) 218-1818