Pacific Beach-based City Ballet of San Diego’s award-winning production of the classic holiday ballet “The Nutcracker” returns to the stage at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido, 340 N Escondido Blvd., with five performances Dec. 21-23.
Voted “San Diego’s Best Nutcracker” (San Diego Dance Alliance Tommy Award) and described by the San Diego Union-Tribune as “a plum of a Nutcracker,” City Ballet’s 28th annual “Nutcracker” performs at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido for five performances, accompanied by the City Ballet Orchestra conducted by John Nettles.
To embrace holiday traditions, patrons are encouraged to arrive early for the evening shows or stay later after the matinees to enjoy the “Winter Wonderland Festival” display of lights on the Center’s campus and delight in holiday songs by the City Ballet Chorus in the theater lobby.
Directors Steven and Elizabeth Wistrich, formerly of the Boston Ballet and Stuttgart Ballet, have created a lavish production with their company of professional dancers. Fashioned after the choreography of the great Russian master, Lev Ivanov, who created the very first “Nutcracker” more than 100 years ago, the production is dazzling, with virtuoso dancing complemented by opulent sets and costumes. Children’s roles are performed by talented young dancers from the City Ballet School, the official school of City Ballet.
THE NUTCRACKER
Accompanied by the City Ballet Orchestra, John Nettles conducting, California Center for the Arts, Escondido.
Performances:
Wednesday, Dec. 21 at 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 22 at 2 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 22 at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 23 at 2 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 23 at 7:30 p.m.
All programs are subject to change without notice. Tickets are $99, $89, $79, $59, and $29, with discounts available for students, seniors, and the military. The Center offers amenities, including free parking.
For ballet tickets or for more information, call City Ballet’s Box Office at 858-272-8663. Tickets may be purchased through www.cityballet.org or by contacting the box office at California Center for the Arts, Escondido at 800-988-4253 or at www.artcenter.org. To avoid the Center’s ticket fees, patrons may purchase at the Center’s Box Office in person Monday-Friday from 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
