‘Tis the season for holiday fun and wonder! Recently, the Segerstrom Center for the Arts announced a three-year deal with American Ballet Theatre that runs through 2024. The deal includes premiere engagements of “The Nutcracker” each December. This event is a special one that we all look forward to. Sadly, COVID caused the show to be canceled last year, but it is back this month.
This will be the sixth year we get the event, and it will take place December 10th through the 19th at Segerstrom Hall.
EVENT PROMOTIONAL PHOTO
We have all heard the title, “The Nutcracker,” and we have seen the commercials and animated movies or television specials. But what is this story about? well, it is Russian composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece. In this epic ballet, the performers tell the story of a young girl’s journey to a magical land on Christmas Eve. Of all the ballets out there, this one is most likely the most popular, especially during the holidays. The ballet opens with a little girl named Marie who falls asleep after a party at her home. She dreams of a unbelievable world where her toys become larger-than-life characters. Her toy Nutcracker (Culkin) who developed into her imaginary bestie comes to life. He defends her from the evil Mouse King. In the end, he is turned into a Prince after Marie saves him. This is a timeless heartwarming story which has touched the hearts of people everywhere on the planet. Yes, this is a story that transcends borders and language.
World-renowned choreographer Alexei Ratmansky’s production will include more than 100 performers and feature a rotating cast including all-star Hee Seo in the role of Clara, and Cory Stearns as The Prince on opening night, December 10th. Other dancers scheduled to take on the role of Clara include Isabella Boylston, Skylar Brandt, Catherine Hurlin, Christine Shevchenko, and Devon Teuscher. Other notable performers who will play The Prince include Joo Won Ahn, Aran Bell, Herman Cornejo, Thomas Forster, and James Whiteside.
Tickets begin at $30 and the venue has a COVID-19 policy for indoor performances. It requires everyone to provide proof of vaccination (a vaccination card, a picture of a vaccination card, or a digital vaccination record) or proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of the event. Masks are required indoors for everyone at the center at all times, regardless of vaccination status.
