Behind the Scenes of The Nutcracker

It was the first time I had stepped inside the Segerstrom Center for the Arts since opening night of A Bronx Tale in 2020. I can’t imagine a more beautiful, whimsical show to re-enter the theater. The Nutcracker is a holiday tradition as essential as trimming the Christmas tree, caroling with family and friends, and building a gingerbread house. We were delighted to start the holiday season with a behind-the-scenes tour of American Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, on stage through December 19, 2021.

Consideration provided by the Segerstrom Center for the Arts.

The Nutcracker

I love the history of The Nutcracker, with origins that date back to 1892 when the first performance debuted in St. Petersburg, Russia. The two-act ballet was surprisingly not a success, however, the 20-minute suite gained popularity and eventually, The Nutcracker was performed outside of Russia in England in 1934. The first American performance of the ballet took place in 1944 by the San Francisco Ballet, with performances continuing across the nation.

Composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, The Nutcracker is the romantic story of Clara’s Christmas Eve, adapted from E. T. A. Hoffman’s short story, The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. Young Clara enters a dreamlike journey filled with magical toy soldiers, mischievous mice, sparkling snowflakes, and a glittering Christmas tree. The American Ballet Theatre’s performance of The Nutcracker is particularly memorable in that the company is joined by 47 dancers from the Wiliam J. Gillespie School with a score performed by the Pacific Symphony.

Waltz of the Flowers The Nutcracker — Image: Rosalie O’Connor

Behind the Scenes of The Nutcracker

Prior to attending opening night of The Nutcracker at Segerstrom Hall, we had an opportunity to see a tech rehearsal with performers from the American Ballet Theatre. We also spoke with American Ballet Theatre’s Wardrobe Supervisor Tomoko Ueda-Dunbar, who showed us costumes from The Nutcracker and provided some interesting facts about the ballet.

Did you know that there are over 150 costumes and more than 100 performers in The Nutcracker? Additionally, American Ballet Theatre spends approximately 1/2 million dollars on pointe shoes each year.

Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall

The Nutcracker at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts.

American Ballet Theatre presents 12 performances of The Nutcracker, December 10th through December 19th, 2021. Single tickets start at $30 and can be purchased online at SCFTA.org, via phone (714.556.2787) or in person at the Box office.

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Caryn Bailey

Caryn is a NICU nurse by day, blogger by night and mom 24/7. She savors the warm Southern California sun and loves to travel, shopping, baking, reading and frequenting her local tea room. Caryn created the column Lavishly Green for Peekaboo Picks Magazine to share her best tips for going green in style, she is the Former editor for Family Review Network, former OC Family Magazine online contributor, former Orange County Moms Blog contributor, former Evenflo Savvy Parent contributor, former member of the Totsy Advisory Board and former freelance writer for CBS Los Angeles.