The Nutcracker

Live Music Performed by the City Ballet Orchestra John Nettles, Conductor Spreckels Theatre 121 Broadway, Downtown San Diego Driving Directions Friday, December 11, 2009 at 7:30pm Saturday, December 12, 2009 at 2:00pm and 7:30pm Sunday, December 13, 2009 at 2:00pm Friday, December 18, 2009 at 7:30pm Saturday, December 19, 2009 at 2:00pm and 7:30pm Sunday, December 20, 2009 at 2:00pm Tickets: $29 - $39 - $49 - $59

Allegro's On-Stage Champagne Reception

On-Stage Reception Presented by:

What better way to enjoy the holiday classic The Nutcracker than with the absolute best Center Orchestra seats followed by an on-stage champagne and dessert reception presented by City Ballet Allegro.

Available exclusively at the Saturday, December 12 and Saturday, December 19 evening performances.

Sugar Plum Fairy Luncheon

Sugar Plum Fairy Luncheon Presented by:

Join the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Nutcracker friends for a special lunch at the Bristol Hotel prior to each Saturday matinee performance.  During lunch, characters from The Nutcracker will go from table to table visiting with children and their parents, answering questions and signing autographs.

This is a great opportunity to photograph your children with characters from City Ballet's The Nutcracker.  Don't forget your camera!

Production Information

Approximate Run Time: 2 hours, 15 minutes with one 15-minute intermission

Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky (May 7, 1840 - November 6, 1893)

Orchestra: City Ballet Orchestra, John Nettles, Conductor

Choreography: Elizabeth Wistrich, after Lev Ivanov, Vassily Vainonen and Rudolph Nureyev

Year Choreographed: 1995

Scenery: San Diego Opera Scenic Studios

Costume Design: David Heuvel

Lighting Design: Stephen Judson

Performance History: The first performance of the ballet was on December 18, 1892 at the Imperial Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia.  City Ballet of San Diego's first performance was in 1995, and the production has become an annual holiday tradition ever since.

Synopsis

Tchaikovsky's classic ballet about a young girl, Clara, who is given a Nutcracker for Christmas by her godfather, Herr Drosselmeyer.  But this is no ordinary Nutcracker as Clara learns that very night.  After a great battle with the Mouse King, the Nutcracker turns into a Prince.  He takes Clara on a magic journey through the Land of the Snow to the Kingdom of the Sweets, where the Sugar Plum Fairy honors the couple with entertainment from around the world.

Programming, musical selections and artists are subject to change.