The Nutcracker

San Diego Ballet brings America’s favorite holiday event to dazzling life at the local theater. Our annual production of The Nutcracker features Tchaikovsky’s timeless score and an international cast of more than 100 beautifully costumed dancers. Sugarplum fairies, leaping cossacks and flurries of snowflakes swirl across the stage, in this magical journey through a young girl’s imagination.

Director’s Notes:
Tchaikovsky’s cherished score. It really does go beyond the ballet footlights and is part of not just the Southern California or American holiday culture, but the world identity. You hear the opening strains of the March (Dum-duddle-da-dum-dum-puhm-puhm-puuuhm) and you are instantly transported to a place where all is right with seasonal cheer. For the past two decades, I have had to perform onstage as Herr Drosselmeyer (the bringer of magic), so at some point I kind of had to divorce myself from doing some of the detail work. Since I hung up my cape (as it were) after the last show last season, I am looking forward to getting to actually fine tune the piece so that it truly reflects the sensibilities of clear storytelling and honest dancing that are central to San Diego Ballet’s values, all the while continuing the tradition of being a lush, family friendly spectacle. – Javier Velasco

The Magnolia
210 E Main St,
El Cajon, CA 92020

December 19 @ 1pm & 5pm
December 20 @ 1pm