This Week: George Balanchine's The Nutcracker Opens in Los Angeles!

Tickets on Sale Now for this Holiday Ballet Classic!

Selfie time in front of a promotional poster for George Balanchine's The Nutcracker in front of the Walt Disney Concert Hall!

True Story: The first time I ever watched The Nutcracker, I was sitting inside the "Gran Teatro de La Habana" in Havana, Cuba. The year was 2001 and the Ballet Nacional de Cuba performed El Cascanueces so flawlessly and beautifully that it pretty much satisfied any ballet watching inclinations I may have had for many years thereafter.

Fast forward to 2017 and this busy mom of two rough-and-tumble boys was waiting for an opportunity to dress up, take a comfortable seat inside a nice theater (preferably in my beloved Los Angeles, California) and let a live orchestra joyously calm my senses while a world-class ballet performs this one-of-a-kind classic holiday ballet.

Well, the opportunity has arrived! 

My sisters and I are headed to opening night for George Balanchine's The Nutcracker on December 7. That day is also Benny's birthday which means, my son will have his first taste of a fine stage performance (Miami City Ballet) and a fancy post-show dinner, as a birthday gift...

George Balanchine's The Nutcracker will be showing at the Music Center's Dorothy Chandler Pavilion from December 7 through December 10. 

But here's why this show is particularly special:

Performances will include, for the first time, student dancers from two L.A. arts academies — The Colburn School and The Gabriella Foundation’s everybody dance! — while the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus will provide live vocals... isn't that awesome!?

A live orchestra will play Peter Ilyitch Tchaikovsky’s timeless score. 

Plus, the show will feature all-new sets and costumes by Cuban-American artist/designer couple
Isabel and Ruben Toledo. 

Photo: Miami City Ballet

Photo: Miami City Ballet

Photo: Miami City Ballet

Friends, Michael Solomon, The Music Center's vice president of presentations and education said: "We wanted to give Los Angeles a Nutcracker beyond proportion."

That's reason enough to dress up, take a comfortable seat inside the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and let Peter Ilyitch Tchaikovsky’s timeless score calm my senses while the Miami City Ballet and local dance school excite them! I can't wait to share more about our trip and let you know all about Benny's reaction!

Tickets for George Balanchine's The Nutcracker can be purchased here.

For more information, visit The Music Center.

I hope to see you there!