The Long Beach Ballet’s artistic director, David Wilcox, is overseeing the 32nd production of the classical tale, which boasts a full symphony orchestra, a flying sleigh, a real horse, on-stage pyrotechnics and a cast of over 200. The scenery was created by former Disney designers Elliot Hessayon and Scott Schaffer, the detailed costumes designed by Australian artist Adrian Clark, and special effects by magician Franz Harary.
The Long Beach Ballet is the only ballet company in Southern California that has a full symphony orchestra and is only one of two ballet companies in the country to use two harps for their production of The Nutcracker to ensure the performance sounds exactly as Tchaikovsky intended it to, according to the company.
Wilcox, a former ballet virtuoso himself, said he is excited to present a special rendition of the beloved tale.
“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,” he said. “I have pyrotechnics, I have magic. I’ve 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.”
The Long Beach Ballet’s Nutcracker has been seen by millions of people worldwide, including live audiences totaling more than 400,000 in Long Beach, 70,000 in Pasadena, hundreds of thousands throughout Asia (as performed by the Chinese Guangzhou Ballet), and millions more on television, according to the company.
Show times are Saturdays, Dec. 13 and 20 at 2pm and 7:30pm, and Sundays, Dec. 14 and 21 at 2pm, at the Long Beach Terrace Theater.
Tickets can be purchased through the Long Beach Ballet “Hotline” at (877) 852-3177, at all TicketMaster outlets, and the Long Beach Performing Arts Center Main Box Office. Family-friendly ticket prices start at $22.40 with choice seats at $65 for adults and $52 for children. There is also a special VIP package available at $95 for adults ($80 for children and seniors), which includes choice Center Orchestra seating, parking, a souvenir program, and a backstage pass. Discounts are available for groups of 15 or more.
For more information visit longbeachballet.com .
Source: LB Ballet
