The world has started to feel at tad more normal, right? One key way that is so important for us all, but especially for our children is the return to the theater. Yes, the careful among us still wear face masks — totally fine. Some theaters require them. But overall, the best way to enjoy the festive feel of the holidays is to be among others.
What better way than to sit back and take in the pleasure of The Nutcracker delivered by the great classical-ballet dancers of our national company, American Ballet Theatre, in a production choreographed by Alexei Ratmansky with live accompaniment by the world-class Pacific Symphony. All of this in a splendid setting — Segerstrom’s beautiful Orange County campus is Southern California’s mecca of performing arts. A generous 10-day, 20-performance window is available for audiences from December 9 – 18, with matinees, evenings, and every reason to bring all generations together.
ABT in recent years has striven to boost an array of dancers reflective of the multicultural communities that the company serves. That rainbow coalition is indicated in the casting list for the principal roles, just released.
The toy soldiers, oversized mice, sparkling snowflakes and a glittering Christmas tree and Tchaikovsky’s transformative music. Put down that phone, and go!
American Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker | Segerstrom Hall, Segerstrom Center for the Arts | Dec 9-18
Thank you for writing this article and for recognizing the strides ABT has taken in promoting diversity and inclusivity in it’s performers and performances. I’d like add that Trinity Mijares, a young Filipino American, will be reprising her role of Clara for this years production. You can see her story at:
https://asianjournal.com/life-style/arts-culture/dream-come-true-fil-am-trinity-mijares-cast-as-clara-in-america-ballet-theatres-production-of-the-nutcracker/
She also did a Q&A with Backstage SoCal which can be seen here:
https://backstagesocal.com/abt-nutcracker/