The Nutcracker

Live Music Performed by the City Ballet Orchestra John Nettles, Conductor Spreckels Theatre 121 Broadway, Downtown San Diego Driving Directions Friday, December 9, 2011 at 7:30pm Saturday, December 10, 2011 at 2:00pm and 7:30pm Sunday, December 11, 2011 at 2:00pm Friday, December 16, 2011 at 7:30pm Saturday, December 17, 2011 at 2:00pm and 7:30pm Sunday, December 18, 2011 at 2:00pm Tuesday, December 20, 2011 at 7:30pm Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at 2:00pm and 7:30pm 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 10, 2011 and Saturday, December 17, 2011 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!

Learn more about Sugar Plum Fairy Luncheon

Production Information

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

Music: The Nutcracker by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky ()

Music Performed By: City Ballet Orchestra under the direction of John Nettles

World Premiere: December 18th, 1892 at the Mariinsky Theatre, St. Petersburg

Choreographer: Elizabeth Wistrich, after Lev Ivanov, Vassily Vainonen, Rudolph Nureyev and Willam Christensen

Year Choreographed: 1995

City Ballet Premiere: 1995

Costume Design: David Heuvel

Scenery: San Diego Opera Scenic Studios

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.  The San Diego Dance Alliance awarded City Ballet of San Diego's production as The Best Nutcracker in San Diego.

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.