SoCal’s favorite holiday tradition American Ballet Theatre’s captivating production of The Nutcracker at Segerstrom Center for the Arts
December 9-18, 2022 in Segerstrom Hall
Tickets on Sale Now at scfta.org
“A production like no other, made with complete theatrical authority from first to last.”
–The New York Times
Casting Announced:
Devon Teuscher and Joo Won Ahn to lead the opening night cast
The triumphant return of James Whiteside
Artistic Director Kevin McKenzie retires
following this engagement after three decades at the helm of American Ballet Theatre
American Ballet Theatre is the Official Dance Company of
Segerstrom Center for the Arts
Music Performed Live by Pacific Symphony
COSTA MESA, CA (November 09, 2022) – Segerstrom Center for the Arts announces the return of SoCal’s favorite holiday tradition – American Ballet Theatre’s captivating production of The Nutcracker. Co-presented by the Center and ABT with choreography by ABT Artist in Residence Alexei Ratmansky, The Nutcracker is the beloved holiday story based on The Nutcracker and the King of Mice written by E.T.A. Hoffmann and set to a magical score by Peter Ilyitch Tchaikovsky that will be performed live by Pacific Symphony.
In its annual holiday engagement, American Ballet Theatre will give 12 performances between December 9 through December 18, 2022, in Segerstrom Hall. This year marks the seventh time that The Center has presented ABT’s The Nutcracker, Southern California’s grandest production of this beloved holiday tradition, featuring ABT’s international all-star cast.
This engagement marks ABT’s last performances with Kevin McKenzie as Artistic Director, who is retiring after three decades at the helm. McKenzie was a leading dancer with both The Joffrey Ballet and the National Ballet of Washington before joining American Ballet Theatre as a Soloist in March 1979. He was appointed a Principal Dancer the following December and danced with the company until 1991. McKenzie, 68, was appointed ABT’s Artistic Director in October 1992.
American Ballet Theatre has a long, storied history of producing several critically acclaimed productions of this annual family-friendly classic tale of Clara and the Nutcracker over the years. The Nutcracker, with its timeless music by Tchaikovsky and splendid costumes and scenery, is the perfect way to introduce children to ballet and even inspire them to study dance and become a little Clara or Nutcracker Prince. This production, with choreography by Alexei Ratmansky, scenery and costumes by Tony Award®-winner Richard Hudson (Disney’s The Lion King), and lighting by Tony Award®-winner Jennifer Tipton, received its World Premiere in 2010.
The Los Angeles Times said, “Choreographer Alexei Ratmansky has made his own Christmas miracle: a joyful “Nutcracker” ballet that is ravishing and clever enough to inspire multiple viewings … in ‘Waltz of the Flowers,’ Busby Berkeley-esque waves of complex human patterns make this waltz one of the most astounding and beautiful you’ll ever see … in all its wondrousness, an unreserved classic.”
The Orange County Register said, “A visual tour de force … a Nutcracker without parallel … Ratmansky is an undisputed master; few choreographers combine his qualities of invention, wit, pacing, and theatricality … Ratmansky has created a work that celebrates the wonder and transformative power of live performance.”
The New York Times said, “Mr. Ratmansky here is an enchanting storyteller, but his is among the most original, fascinating for children and adults alike. A production like no other, made with complete theatrical authority from first to last.”
Single tickets for American Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker start at $29 and are now available online at SCFTA.org, at the Box office at 600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa, or by calling (714) 556-2787. For inquiries about group ticket discounts for 10 or more, call the Group Services offices at (714)755-0236.
The ABT William J. Gillespie School offers students unrivaled performing opportunities, Master Classes, lectures by visiting artists, and the highest quality of classical ballet training through the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum. Forty students are featured annually in ABT’s production of The Nutcracker; and students have performed alongside ABT dancers in the World Premiere productions of The Sleeping Beauty (2015), Whipped Cream (2017), and the West Coast premiere of ABT’s Harlequinade (2019).
From March 29 to April 2, 2023, American Ballet Theatre will give the North American Premiere of Like Water for Chocolate at the Center. From the award-winning team of choreographer Christopher Wheeldon and composer Joby Talbot, with costumes by Bob Crowley, this co-production with the Royal Ballet is inspired by Laura Esquivel’s bestselling novel of the same name. Wheeldon and his team have turned “Latin-American magical realism into a fluid, clear, and cohesive dance narrative” (Culture Whisper).
Casting for The Nutcracker
ABT Artistic Director Kevin McKenzie has released principal casting which will include Devon Teuscher as Clara, the Princess, and Joo Won Ahn as The Nutcracker Prince on Opening Night, Friday, December 9.
Friday, December 9 at 7 p.m. – Devon Teuscher, Joo Won Ahn
Saturday, December 10 at 2 p.m. – Isabella Boylston, James Whiteside
Saturday, December 10 at 7 p.m. – Catherine Hurlin, Aran Bell
Sunday, December 11 at 12:30 p.m. – Cassandra Trenary*, Calvin Royal III*
Sunday, December 11 at 5:30 p.m. – Christine Shevchenko, Thomas Forster
Wednesday, December 14 at 7 p.m. – Hee Seo, Cory Stearns
Thursday, December 15 at 7 p.m. – Skyler Brandt, Herman Cornejo
Friday, December 16 at 7 p.m. – Cassandra Trenary, Calvin Royal lll*
Saturday, December 17 at 2 p.m. – Devon Teuscher, Joo Won Ahn
Saturday, December 17 at 7 p.m. – Skylar Brandt, Herman Cornejo
Sunday, December 18 at 12:30 p.m. – Catherine Hurlin, Aran Bell
Sunday, December 18 at 5:30 p.m. – Hee Seo, Cory Stearns
*Indicates the first time in the role.
American Ballet Theatre
The Nutcracker
Pacific Symphony
Segerstrom Center for the Arts
Segerstrom Hall
December 9– 18
Friday, December 9 at 7 p.m.
Saturday, December 10 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Sunday, December 11 at 12:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, December 14 at 7 p.m.
Thursday, December 15 at 7 p.m.
Friday, December 16 at 7 p.m.
Saturday, December 17 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Sunday, December 18 at 12:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
In-person and Phone-
The Box Office
600 Town Center Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 556-2787
Monday 10 am – 2 pm
Tuesday through Friday Noon- 5 pm
Closed Saturdays and Sundays
Tickets start at $29
Online – SCFTA.org
Group Sales – (714) 755-0236
Information provided is accurate at the time of printing, but is subject to change. Segerstrom Center for the Arts is a public, non-profit organization. “Segerstrom Center for the Arts” is a registered trademark.
