Nutcracker: Experience The Magic

Kick-off your holidays with JOY! Add sparkle to the season with the magic only the Santa Cruz City Ballet Nutcracker can bring. From the youngest dancing gingerbread cookies to aspiring professional dancers and guest artists, this Nutcracker has it all… Gorgeous costumes, dazzling sets, and exquisite dancing are sure to delight and inspire all ages! One weekend ONLY… A steadfast holiday tradition with something new to see each year. What better way to CELEBRATE than with family, friends, beauty, smiles, community, laughter, and the Nutcracker? Experience the Magic! See you at the Nutcracker!

History of the Nutcracker: The Nutcracker, Russian Shchelkunchik, a ballet by Pyotr Tchaikovsky. The last of his three ballets, it was first performed in December 1892. The story of The Nutcracker is loosely based on the E.T.A. Hoffmann fantasy story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, about a girl who befriends a nutcracker that comes to life on Christmas Eve and wages a battle against the evil Mouse King.

Hoffmann’s story is darker and more troubling than the version that reached the stage; the Imperial Russian Ballet choreographer Marius Petipa chose to follow a light adaptation of the story written by Alexandre Dumas père History of the Nutcracker in Santa Cruz The Nutcracker was first performed in Santa Cruz in 1988 with Santa Cruz City Ballet Director, Shannon Chipman as the Snow Queen and Co-Director, Vicki Bergland as Co-Director on the old Cabrillo stage. They have since worked on many Nutcrackers together and this is their 15th year together with the Santa Cruz City Ballet @ IAD.

This is their 12th year at the Crocker Theater. Every year the production grows with new ideas, choreography, scenery, costumes, and imagination. Dancers in the Company, professionals from the bay area and beyond, alongside dancers from our community each bring their own sparkle. Most dancers in the production train at the International Academy of Dance, home of the Santa Cruz City Ballet. It is always rewarding to see the tiniest gingersnaps, angels, and party guests now dancing principal roles as young adults and pre-professionals, along with young dancers dreaming about becoming the next Snow Queen. We breathe new life into this timeless classic, so please join us this December to see the latest rendition of The Nutcracker!

The Dance Guild offers scholarship and training opportunities to young dancers from CASA, Rebele Shelter, and families in need that may not otherwise be able to afford dance training. We are excited to give back our knowledge and training to everyone who has the passion and drive to learn ballet. We believe that Ballet makes life more beautiful! Thank you for your support! Enjoy the Nutcracker!