Long Beach Ballet’s The Nutcracker: A Holiday Tradition for All Ages

Christmas is a time for traditions. Perhaps one of the most time-honored traditions is that of Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s immortal ballet, The Nutcracker. Since its debut in 1892, The Nutcracker has been performed at Christmastime on countless stages around the world. This year, the Long Beach Ballet presents its 35th year of the timeless classic, and they are pulling out all the stops.

Boasting a full symphony orchestra, a flying sleigh, a live horse, on-stage pyrotechnics, and a cast of over 200, this is without a doubt the best production of The Nutcracker I have ever seen. The Long Beach Ballet is the only company in Southern California that performs The Nutcracker with a full symphony orchestra. They are also one of only two companies in the country that uses two harps for their production just as Tchaikovsky intended, but they don’t stop there. Employing magician, Franz Harary, to add some mystifying special effects takes the show to another level of awe and wonder.

This year, the Long Beach Ballet is also fortunate enough to feature Pacific Northwest Ballet guest artists, Seth Orza and Sarah Richard Orza, in the roles of the Nutcracker Prince and the Sugar Plum Fairy. Their beauty and grace combined with David Wilcox’s choreography and the music of Tchaikovsky creates unforgettable moments on stage. The spectacular sets created by former Disney designers, Elliot Hessayon and Scott Schaffer, are enchanting while the exquisite costumes designed by Autralian artist delight young and old alike.

Throughout the years, the Long Beach Ballet’s Nutcracker has been seen live by millions worldwide from California to China, and by millions more on television. Like Tchaikovksy’s mesmerizing melodies, the ballet company’s 35th anniversary production is one for the ages. Staying true to the original while adding modern touches makes this Nutcracker the one to be seen this holiday season. Just like visiting Santa Claus, baking Christmas cookies, and singing carols, watching the Long Beach Ballet’s The Nutcracker should be one of your family holiday traditions.

ABOUT THE LONG BEACH BALLET

Long Beach Ballet is one of Southern California’s leading classical ballet institutions.  The  academy’s reputation is based on excellence, dedication and passion for the art. Students from this academy have gone on to join companies like San Francisco Ballet, National Ballet of Canada, and the Dresden Ballet.  For more information visit: http://www.longbeachballet.com/

DAVID WILCOX, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF THE LONG BEACH BALLET

Los Angeles native David Wilcox began studying the dance at the age of eleven. He continued his studies in London and at the age of nineteen began his professional career in Germany where he danced with the Berlin Ballet, the Nuremberg Ballet and the Heidelberg Ballet.  In 1981, he co-founded Long Beach Ballet which became Southern California’s most successful ballet company for 15 years.  Many of Wilcox’s students have gone on to join companies like San Francisco Ballet, Hamburg Ballet, National Ballet of Canada, Milwaukee Ballet and New York Ballet Theater. He has produced and directed nine ballet tours to Asia and has staged three full-length ballets for the Classical Ballet of Guangzhou, China:  The Nutcracker, La Bayadere and Cinderella.  He lives with his wife and daughters in Long Beach. 

Venue: Terrace Theatre, Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center
300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90802

Remaining Performance Schedule:   

Friday, December 22 at 7:30 pm;
Saturday, December 23 at 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm;
Sunday, December 24 at 1:00 pm
 
Tickets: Prices: $34.00 – $115.00
In Person – Long Beach Convention Center Box Office
By Phone – Long Beach Ballet “Hotline” (877) 852-3177
Website – www.longbeachballet.com