See stunning ensemble sequences, a festive winter wonderland and the famous “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” during the 42nd production of The Long Beach Nutcracker at the Terrace Theater.
As has become a local holiday tradition, over 250 performers from Long Beach Ballet, led by artistic director David Wilcox, will dazzle audiences with their take on Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s world-famous ballet.
All performances of the “The Nutcracker” will be anchored by the sounds of a full symphony orchestra. According to the Long Beach Ballet, they are one of only two ballet companies in the country to use two harps in their show orchestra, which is done to “ensure the performance sounds exactly as Tchaikovsky intended it to sound.”
The Long Beach Ballet’s production of “The Nutcracker” has received high acclaim over the years, including being voted the “best-loved” production in the country in 2018 and 2019 through the annual Goldstar Audience Survey.
Along with Tchaikovsky’s score being performed live during the show, audiences can expect a flying sleigh, a real live horse, pyrotechnics, special guest performances and some surprises as well. “The Nutcracker” is certainly classical fun for all ages, but the Long Beach Ballet’s production aims to channel enough excitement to entertain longtime fans of ballet and convert the skeptics in the crowd.
“I like using the beauty of the classical art form of ballet, which has taken 500 years to develop to the level that it is today, to form a production that’s enticing and exciting,” Wilcox said in a public statement. “It has pyrotechnics, it has magic; it’s got everything I can think of to make it thrilling. This production is not just for people who like ballet. You can hate ballet and you’ll still like this production.”
Tickets for this production are ranging from $34 to $145, and can be purchased online or in person at the Long Beach Performing Arts Center Main Box Office. There are also special VIP packages available for purchase, along with discounts for groups of over 10 people.
There will be seven performances (on Dec. 14 & 15, and 20-22) of “The Nutcracker” by the Long Beach Ballet at the Terrace Theater, located at 300 E. Ocean Blvd. To learn more about this production, visit longbeachnutcracker.com or the @longbeachballet on Instagram.