TheBestNutcracker.com 
Bridges Auditorium at Pomona College, 450 N. College Way, Claremont, CA 91711. Tickets: (909) 607-1139,  ipballet.org

Lewis Family Playhouse December 8 & 9, 2012  
December 8  1 & 7 p.m.
Friday  December 9  1 p.m.

The Nutcracker Cost: $21-50.  lewisfamilyplayhouse.com

Victoria Gardens Center, 12505 Cultural Center Way, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91739. Tickets: (909) 477-2725
December 15, 2012  1 & 7 p.m.
December 16, 2012  1 p.m.
December 22, 2012  1 & 7 p.m.
December 23, 2012  1 p.m.

Inland Pacific Ballet Nutcracker includes over 100 dancers, splendid costumes, stage sets and lighting, and artistic direction by Victoria Koenig with co-director Kevin Myers. This year's production also boasts exciting new choreography. The role of Clara will be given more prominence and be danced by IPB Principals Jennifer Friel, and Marina Fabila, the Dance of the Reed Flutes will incorporate charming milkmaids in exquisite new costumes, and a splendid 60 foot long traditional Chinese dragon will delight audiences in the Chinese Tea dance.

Celebrating its 18th season in 2012, the event includes a delightful interpretation of the doting godfather Drosselmeyer who gifts the magical nutcracker doll to Clara.

Held in an elegant theater built in 1931 in Claremont, California, Bridges was widely regarded as the finest theater in Southern California because of its white columns, vaulting arches, grand marble foyer, and hand painted coffered ceilings. This 2400 seat opera house is the home to seasonal productions and performances of the Inland Pacific Ballet Company.

Founded in 1991, The Inland Pacific Ballet Academy brings professional quality dance training and performing opportunities to students of all ages and levels of experience.

Victoria Koenig and Kevin Myers are Directors, and Jill Voznick is  Co-Director of Inland Pacific Ballet.
 

Victoria Koenig - After many years as a professional dancer, and extensive international travel as a guest artist and teacher, Victoria Koenig returned home to Southern California and has become a shaping force in the region's dance community. She co-founded the Los Angeles Chamber Ballet, was on the faculty of the Stanley Holden Dance Center, and served on the dance faculty of California State University, Long Beach.  Koenig has brought her many years of professional experience to the Inland Valley as Co-Founder and Artistic Director of the Inland Pacific Ballet, one of the fastest growing cultural assets in Southern California. She is also on the dance faculty at Pomona College.

Kevin Myers - Myers danced with the Houston Ballet in solo roles in the classic repertoire including The Nutcracker, Giselle, Swan Lake, and Sleeping Beauty. As soloist with the Los Angeles Ballet he danced principal roles in Balanchine ballets, including Tarantella and Jewels. Myers is fulfilling a dream of widening the opportunities for young people of the Inland Empire to experience the art of ballet.

Jill Voznick joined the Southwest Ballet Center as a scholarship student and also trained at The School of American Ballet in New York City. A graduate of the National Academy of Arts in Champaign, IL, she became a member of The National Ballet of Illinois and the Joffrey II Dancers before joining The Atlanta Ballet in 1980, where she was a soloist and principal dancer for 13 years. In addition to her accomplishments with the Atlanta Ballet she has established herself as a renowned teacher at The Atlanta School of Ballet, the official school of North Carolina Dance Theater, Dance Place and The Cincinnati School of Ballet.  ipballet.org