The Nutcracker

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Westside Ballet’s 51st Annual Nutcracker Returns

A Landmark Holiday Tradition in Southern California Continues to Shine!

Westside Ballet of Santa Monica brings the magic of its 51st annual production of “The Nutcracker” back to The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage kickstarting the Holiday Season Thanksgiving Weekend, running from November 30 to December 8, 2024. Southern California’s longest-running Nutcracker, this year’s production blends the nostalgia of tradition with fresh artistic elements, featuring exquisite new set designs and world-class performances that breathe new life into the beloved classic.

Performing both weekends, Westside alumna and New York City Ballet principal Tiler Peck returns to dazzle the stage as the Sugar Plum Fairy, alongside fellow NYCB principal Roman Mejia as her Cavalier. Set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic score performed live by the Santa Monica College Symphony Orchestra, this cherished production brings Clara’s enchanting journey to life in this timeless holiday tradition.

The Westside production masterfully captures the essence of the legendary George Balanchine’s vision, as originally conceived by Yvonne Mounsey, who once graced the stage as the Center Spanish in the New York City Ballet during the peak of her career. Highlighted in the pages of the Los Angeles Times and recognized as one of Pointe Magazine’s preferred Nutcracker productions nationwide, it’s a holiday experience that promises to be unforgettable—one you won’t want to miss!

Nutcracker Trailer

Please enjoy Westside’s commemorative 50th Anniversary Commercial made in collaboration with Santa Monica College Film Program.

About Westside Ballet’s Nutcracker

The longest running Nutcracker in the city, Westside Ballet’s lavish production has been a Los Angeles tradition since 1973.

From the moment the theater lights dim, you’ll embark on a journey into a whimsical realm of Christmas wonder, where the merriment and festive spirit of the season come alive. In the Victorian-style party scene, menacing mice engage in epic battles with valiant toy soldiers, and a dashing Prince guides Clara through the enchanting Land of Snow, where swirling flurries are conjured by the mesmerizing Snow Queen.

As Act II unfolds, heavenly angels, poised on billowing clouds, herald Clara and her Prince’s arrival in the Land of the Sweets. Clara is entertained by a delightful array of performances, including Spanish chocolate, Arabian coffee, Peppermints, Chinese tea, and marzipan Mirlitons, each presenting their own unique charms. In the grand finale, a graceful waltz of flowers surrounds the shimmering Dew Drop Fairy before the radiant Sugar Plum Fairy and her elegant Cavalier take center stage in their magnificent pas de deux.

The entire Kingdom bids Clara a fond farewell as she embarks on her journey home, sailing through a glittering night sky in a walnut boat.