Clara de deux

Young Chang

One’s a Leo and the other’s a Capricorn.

One has freckles sprinkled across her cheeks and blue eyes to match.

The other has an even Southern California tan and coffee-colored eyes.

Both wore ponytails and slim but flared jeans to Fashion Island this

week. Both sipped pink lemonade and wrung their hands with innocent

anticipation as they talked.

Lauren Holland and Hilary Heinke, both 12 and from Newport Beach,

swapped stories about how one thought the other was so “nice” when they

first met at the Jimmy DeFore Dance Center five years ago.

But Lauren, in the navy blue Corona del Mar High School sweatshirt,

insists Hilary has a grace to her balletic extensions and turnouts that

are visible even from the furthest seat in the house.

Hilary, in a red cowl-neck sweater, says she wishes she could dance

like Lauren. That Lauren is so much better than she is.

Both will dance the coveted part of Clara in Ballet Pacifica’s holiday

production of “The Nutcracker,” which opens Dec. 14 at the Irvine Barclay

Theatre.

Lauren will dance the first half of the run, Hilary will dance the

second.

And yes, Lauren says her dear friend Hilary will be great.Hilary

insists Lauren is perfect for the part.

“It’s every little girl’s dream to be Clara,” Lauren said.

Hilary, from across the table, nods.

While it’s almost a given that theaters in Newport-Mesa stage “The

Nutcracker” every December -- Orange Coast College will run its rendition

through Sunday with the Festival Ballet Theatre -- Ballet Pacifica’s

production has a unique twist this year in that the two young leads will

gain more than just a big theater break.

“There’s really a bond between these girls,” said Gillian Finley,

conservatory director for Ballet Pacifica, where Lauren and Hilary take

classes. “They know what it’s like to miss parties and miss after-school

stuff.”

But the bonds, Finley adds, aren’t rare in the world of dance. She’s

seen a lot of girls in the conservatory become best friends through the

common ground of loving dance -- something children who don’t dance can’t

always understand.

“It happens occasionally,” she said.

Lauren and Hilary both confirmed that though each has a team of

supportive school friends attending the show -- Lauren’s from Corona del

Mar High School, Hilary’s from Ensign Intermediate -- a few pals needed

background prepping on the Russian fairy-tale ballet of a girl and her

magical nutcracker.

Clara receives the nutcracker from her godfather as a present. Her

brother breaks it and her godfather fixes it. Odd things happen with the

repaired little nutcracker, who then joins Clara in an adventure that

includes a fight with the Mouse King and a journey to the lands of sweets

and snow.

“I tell my friends at school that I’m Clara and they’re like, what’s

that?” Hilary said.

The seventh-grader understands, but with Lauren she finds that most

things can go unexplained.

The two girls auditioned for the role of Clara in the fall, each with

an extensive resume in previous “Nutcracker” parts ranging from the mice

to the party girls to even the party boys.

Lauren danced the part of Clara last year. She says she was surprised

to get selected again.

Hilary said her goal was to one day work herself up to playing Clara.

During auditions, she thought Lauren would again land the part. Today,

they watch each other during rehearsals and share observations and

advice. They never fail to compliment the other’s unique, graceful touch.

With less than two weeks until opening night, both admit they’re

excited. They’ve been honored to learn from professionals who dance the

complicated, adult parts. They’ve been flattered to see younger children

playing mice look up to them, waving bye when they leave the stage.

The two friends have even agreed upon a final-night gesture for their

younger counterparts.

“Hilary and I have been planning to give them little presents,” Lauren

said.

FYI

WHAT: “The Nutcracker” -- Ballet Pacifica

WHEN: Dec. 14-24. Show times are 7:30 and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 15-23, with a

7:30 p.m. show Dec. 14 and a 2:30 p.m. show Dec. 24.

WHERE: Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine

COST: $21-$25

CALL: (949) 854-4646

What: “The Nutcracker” -- Festival Ballet Theatre

Where: Orange Coast College’s Robert B. Moore Theatre, 2701 Fairview

Road, Costa Mesa

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

Cost: $16-$19

Contact: (714) 432-5880