The prestigious American Ballet Theatre celebrates its tenth season of The Nutcracker at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts as it returns to the stages for 14 spell-binding performances from December 11 to 21. This landmark season features ABT’s international all-star cast under the leadership of artistic director Susan Jaffe, with choreography by Alexei Ratmansky, costumes by Tony winner Richard Hudson, and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky‘s iconic score performed live by Pacific Symphony. With this significant milestone, we wish to highlight the incredible global majority artists that will grace the stage!
The Nutcracker is the tale of a young girl, Clara, who receives the gift of a nutcracker doll at her family’s Christmas party. In her dreams that night, the nutcracker doll comes to life as a handsome prince who joins her on a magical journey. Together, they travel to lands filled with dancing snowflakes, waltzing flowers, a mouse army and other exotic characters, all brought to vivid life on stage by a cast of over 100 performers!
Photo: Marty Sohl.
It has come to my realization that in my years of enjoying theatre, whether just as an audience member or as a critic, I have never properly watched The Nutcracker (the closest experience was watching Disney’s The Nutcracker and the Four Realms) so to watch this for the first time is something I can’t wait to experience for the first time. While this officially premieres tonight on December 11, there is actually a rotating principal cast for every performance.
Thu, December 11 at 7:00 p.m. — Isabella Boylston & James Whiteside
Fri, December 12 at 7:00 p.m. — Catherine Hurlin & Joseph Markey*
Sat Mat, December 13 at 2:00 p.m. — Chloe Misseldine & Jarod Curley*
Sat Eve, December 13 at 7:00 p.m. — Hee Seo & Cory Stearns
Sun Mat, December 14 at 11:30 a.m. — SunMi Park & Calvin Royal III
Sun Eve, December 14 at 4:30 p.m. — Christine Shevchenko & Michael de la Nuez*
Tue, December 16 at 7:00 p.m. — Skylar Brandt & Herman Cornejo
Wed, December 17 at 7:00 p.m. — Christine Shevchenko & Michael de la Nuez
Thu, December 18 at 7:00 p.m. — Léa Fleytoux* & Jake Roxander*
Fri, December 19 at 7:00 p.m. — Hee Seo & Joo Wan Ahn
Sat Mat, December 20 at 2:00 p.m. — Skylar Brandt & Herman Cornejo
Sat Eve, December 20 at 7:00 p.m. — SunMi Park & Daniel Camargo
Sun Mat, December 21 at 11:30 a.m. — Catherine Hurlin & Joseph Markey
Sun Eve, December 21 at 4:30 p.m. — Léa Fleytoux & Jake Roxander
With that being said, here are the fantastic global majority performers who will grace the stage as either Clara or the Nutcracker Prince:
Performing as Clara on December 14 11:30am and December 20 at 7pm
Performing as the Nutcracker Prince on December 16 at 7pm and December 20 at 2pm
Performing as the Nutcracker Prince on December 14 at 11:30am
Performing as Clara on December 13 at 7pm and December 19 at 7pm
Performing as the Nutcracker Prince on December 19 at 7pm
Performing as Clara on December 18 at 7pm and December 21 at 4:30pm
Performing as Clara on December 13 at 2pm
Performing as the Nutcracker Prince on December 20 at 7pm
Performing as the Nutcracker Prince on December 17 at 7pm
I’ll be attending the December 14 matinee performance with SunMi Park andCalvin Royal III as I am most excited to see an Asian Clara and a Black Nutcracker Prince on stage together but as seen above, there are numerous options to watch these artists on their respective performances!
VIP Sweet Seats
A limited number of exclusive Sweet Seats are available for all The Nutcracker performances! Along with prime Orchestra seating, this ticket also comes with a Segerstrom Center keepsake ornament, a The Nutcracker collectible poster, luxurious Laderach chocolates and a delicious holiday cookie — all in a commemorative 10th Anniversary tote bag! Make it a holiday experience your loved ones will remember forever!
Best availability for Sweet Seats remains for these performances:
Sunday, December 14 matinee
Sunday, December 14 evening
Friday, December 19 evening.
Photo: Marty Sohl.
Runtime is 1 hour and 54 minutes with tickets available to purchase here. 7 p.m. Dec. 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20; 2 p.m. Dec. 13 and 20; 11:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Dec. 14 and 21. Tickets range from $39 to $339. Segerstrom Center, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa.
