Santa Monica Westside Ballet's The Nutcracker

November 25-December 3, 2023, 1 & 5 p.m.
 with live orchestration!

The Broad Stage, Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center
1310 11th St
Santa Monica, CA 90401
$50 approx., westsideballet.com

california nutcracker

November 25, 2023, 1 & 5 p.m.
November 26, 2023, 1 & 5 p.m.
December 2, 2023, 1 & 5 p.m.
December 3, 2023, 1 & 5 p.m.

Starring Tiler Peck, Roman Mejia, Lyrica Woodruff, Mate Szentes and Lucia Connolly

Accompanied by Santa Monica College Symphony Orchestra

A holiday tradition since 1973, Westside Ballet's Nutcracker is the longest running in Los Angeles history! The Nutcracker will be performed with College Symphony Orchestra playing Tchaikovsky's majestic score. Westside Ballet of Santa Monica returns to the Broad Stage for the sixth year for its annual Nutcracker. Partnering with the Santa Monica College Symphony Orchestra playing Tchaikovsky's majestic score, the traditional full length ballet in two acts features exuberant choreography and lavish costumes. Brought to life by falling snow and a Christmas tree that grows, Westside Ballet's The Nutcracker is not only the longest running Nutcracker production in Los Angeles history -- it captures the spirit of George Balanchine's original version and the traditional Petipa classic in quality, intergrity, and musicality.

WESTSIDE BALLET OF SANTA MONICA  THE NUTCRACKER

Martine Harley, Artistic Director

The Magic is Back! Lavish costumes and exuberant choreography mesmerize audiences in Westside Ballet of Santa Monica's rendition of this holiday classic. Take a trip with Clara to a magical world of dancing snowflakes, Spanish chocolate, and a dashing prince. From the Victorian-style party scene to the glittering Sugar Plum Fairy, it's the traditional full-length ballet in two acts set to Tchaikovsky's majestic score as performed live by the Santa Monica Symphony Orchestra.

The artistic direction captures the spirit of choreographer George Balanchine, as passed on by Westside's founder Yvonne Mounsey, who created the Nutcracker role of Center Spanish during the peak of her career as principal dancer with New York City Ballet. Yvonne Mounsey founded Westside Ballet in 1967, and trained three generations of dancers until her passing in September, 2012.

Westside Ballet of Santa Monica annual holiday classic The Nutcracker's artistic direction closely follows that of George Balanchine's original version.

Westside Ballet of Santa Monica has all of the elements that audiences look for -- the falling snow, a Christmas tree that grows, and that magical moments that are unforgettable holiday remembrances.

Westside Ballet of Santa Monica draws its company from the affiliated Westside School of Ballet, featured in Point Magazine as one of 7 leading ballet schools in the country. Students have gone on to distinguished careers with top ballet companies, including New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theater, and many more.

A Los Angeles family tradition since 1972, Westside Ballet (westsideballet.com) of Santa Monica's annual lavish production of The Nutcracker transports audiences to a magical world filled with peppermint candy and dancing snowflakes, set to Tchaikovsky's majestic score. From the moment the lights dim, the Victorian-style party scene to the glittering Sugar Plum Fairy entertain throughout the traditional full-length ballet.  
 
The ballet company provides the promising young dancers of the Westside School of Ballet performance opportunities so vital to their growth -- and makes dance more accessible to local children and families. 

If you have to select just one Nutcracker ballet to see this year, Westside Ballet production will be among the best.