Ronn Guidi, the founder and artistic director of the late, lamented Oakland Ballet, deserves a round of applause for helping to revive the "Nutcracker," which will make its 34th annual appearance at the city's treasured Paramount Theatre in Oakland from Dec. 22-24.

At 70, Guidi remains the force behind both the Ronn Guidi Foundation for the Performing Arts and his Oakland Ballet Academy in the Laurel district. He could have taken a pass on reviving the "Nutcracker," and few would have faulted him. However, after the demise of the Oakland Ballet, he had it in his mind to bring back the beloved Christmas classic by buying the costumes and props earlier this year. Back then, any appearance of the "Nutcracker" in Oakland must have seemed like a pipe dream.

But Guidi himself and the Ronn Guidi Foundation for the Performing Arts have worked tirelessly. The foundation has reached $160,000 in donations for the production's $200,000 budget. The rest will be made up in ticket sales, according to Guidi.

Chevron Corp. donated $50,000, and an anonymous donor gave $10,000. Several other businesses, friends of Guidi and of the foundation, as well as private donors, also have contributed.

Speaking of the Paramount production, it will not only feature most of the old sets and costumes, but also live music from the Oakland East Bay Symphony.

Meanwhile, Guidi and the dancers have been rehearsing in earnest at his academy in anticipation of the "Nutcracker."

In addition to the Paramount performances, Guidi's "Nutcracker" will also be presented at Harrah's Lake Tahoe Casino on Saturday and Sunday. And there will be "Nutcracker" performances from Dec. 15-17 at Holy Names University in the hills.

As Guidi told writer Kellie Hwang: "Yes, my 'Nutcracker' will be back. I want to keep the tradition alive." When the curtain rises on "Nutcracker" at the Paramount, it will mark not only a triumph for Guidi, but also for the foundation, donors, dancers—and Oakland.

© 2006 ContraCostaTimes.com and wire service sources.