Where Christmas Comes Alive: Los Angeles Ballet’s The Nutcracker
The Nutcracker by the Los Angeles Ballet
Choreography by Thordal Christensen and Colleen Neary
Music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
By Vic Gerami
There are few opening notes in all of classical music that signal Christmas as instantly as Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. From the moment the orchestra begins, something familiar and magical settles in. It is the sound of tradition, anticipation, and childhood wonder. This holiday season, Los Angeles Ballet brings that magic to life once again with its acclaimed production of The Nutcracker, performed at UCLA’s Royce Hall and the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.
More than a seasonal favorite, Los Angeles Ballet’s The Nutcracker is an immersive theatrical experience that blends music, movement, design, and storytelling into a celebration that feels both timeless and unmistakably Los Angeles. Over the years, the production has become a cornerstone of the city’s cultural calendar, welcoming families, first-time balletgoers, and devoted dance lovers alike.
From German folklore to holiday icon
Long before The Nutcracker became a ballet, the nutcracker itself held a central place in European holiday tradition. Originating in seventeenth-century Germany, wooden nutcracker figures were both practical tools and symbolic guardians, believed to bring good luck and protect the home. Soldier-style nutcrackers appeared in the eighteenth century, reflecting the cultural influences of their time.
These figures leapt from folklore into legend through E. T. A. Hoffmann’s The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, later adapted by Alexandre Dumas. When Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky transformed the tale into a ballet in 1891 and 1892, the nutcracker’s place in Christmas culture was sealed forever.
Tchaikovsky’s enduring masterpiece
Premiering in St. Petersburg in December 1892, The Nutcracker initially received mixed responses. Time, however, revealed its brilliance. Today, the score is among the most recognizable ever composed, carrying audiences from a warm Christmas Eve into a dreamlike world of snow, sweets, and fantasy.
Tchaikovsky’s use of the celesta for the Sugar Plum Fairy was revolutionary, giving the ballet its signature shimmering sound. The Nutcracker Suite quickly found life beyond the stage as a concert work, helping to cement the ballet’s global popularity.
At the Dolby Theatre performances, audiences will experience Tchaikovsky’s iconic score performed live by the Los Angeles Ballet Orchestra, adding immediacy and richness to every moment on stage.
A Nutcracker born in Los Angeles
The choreography created by Los Angeles Ballet founders Thordal Christensen and Colleen Neary places The Nutcracker firmly in the city where the company was born. While honoring classical tradition, their interpretation reflects Los Angeles’ warmth, clarity, and imaginative spirit. It is expansive without feeling distant, refined without losing its sense of wonder.
Under the leadership of Artistic Director Melissa Barak and Executive Director Julia Rivera, Los Angeles Ballet continues to nurture this original vision while fostering a company culture that prioritizes artistry, individuality, and excellence.
A ballet for the whole community
As part of its twentieth anniversary season, Los Angeles Ballet is deepening its commitment to accessibility and inclusion by presenting a sensory-friendly relaxed performance of The Nutcracker on December 26 at 2:00 pm at the Dolby Theatre.
Developed in partnership with Autism Society Los Angeles, this performance is specially adapted to create a welcoming environment for individuals with autism, sensory sensitivities, or other cognitive or social challenges, and their families. Modifications include reduced sound levels, adjusted lighting, relaxed house rules that allow guests to move or vocalize as needed, and the availability of quiet spaces throughout the theatre.
This relaxed performance marks the first of its kind at the Dolby Theatre and reflects Los Angeles Ballet’s ongoing mission to ensure that ballet can be enjoyed by everyone. Guests are encouraged to bring sensory-support items, and a detailed Social Story guide is available to help families prepare for the experience in advance.
In addition, Los Angeles Ballet is expanding its Power of Performance initiative for this performance, increasing free ticket access for community organizations that support individuals with sensory sensitivities, further strengthening the company’s role as a cultural resource across Los Angeles County.
A holiday invitation
With a running time of approximately 120 minutes and one intermission, The Nutcracker is perfectly suited for families, traditions, and first-time ballet audiences. The extended run at the Dolby Theatre allows performances to continue even after Christmas Day, making it easier than ever to include this beloved ballet in the holiday season.
Whether it is your first Nutcracker or one of many, Los Angeles Ballet’s production offers something enduring: the chance to slow down, be transported, and share a moment of joy. In a season filled with noise and rush, The Nutcracker remains a reminder of music, imagination, and togetherness.
The Nutcracker plays at UCLA’s Royce Hall from Friday, December 12 through Sunday, December 14, and at the Dolby Theatre from Friday, December 19 through Sunday, December 28, with a sensory-friendly relaxed performance on December 26 at 2:00 pm.
For tickets and information, visit LosAngelesBallet.org