City Ballet of Los Angeles (CBLA) continues its mission to reflect the diversity of its city and bring classical ballet to new audiences with its winter program, The Nutcracker Swings, a twist on the holiday favorite set in 1942 Los Angeles during World War II.
The Nutcracker Swings is CBLA’s tribute to the classic tale of the Nutcracker. Set in 1942 in Hancock Park, Los Angeles during WWII, the dancers swing to the sounds of Tchaikovsky and Duke Ellington. In this version of the classic family ballet, Maria, the heroine, falls for the leading man, Jim, a WWII hero who gives Maria the Nutcracker doll which kicks off a whirlwind journey of Christmas wonder.
Under the artistic direction and founded by former American Ballet Theatre dancer and Los Angeles native Robyn Gardenhire, CBLA began as a school in 2000 and then as a professional company in 2001. CBLA has worked since its inception to become a dance institution of and for Los Angeles – offering training at low or no cost to children from the Pico Union District, introducing ballet to thousands of elementary school students throughout Los Angeles, and developing a company that reflects the diversity of its city and bringing ballet to new audiences.
The Nutcracker Swings | Wilshire Ebell Theater | December 21, 22