Greer's OC

Festival Ballet Theatre presents the return of The Nutcracker opening on December 7 with performances through December 24 at the Irvine Barclay Theatre.

The critically acclaimed production, featuring magnificent colorful sets and dazzling costumes by award-winning designers Simon Pastukh and Galina Solovyeva, has been delighting audiences and critics in Orange County for over 30 years.

The full-length traditional production is choreographed and directed by Festival Ballet Theatre’s Artistic Director, Salwa Rizkalla, and features world-renowned guest artists, professional Festival Ballet Theatre company dancers, and exceptional young talent from across the Southland.

Festival Ballet Theatre’s breathtaking production of The Nutcracker makes this age-old holiday tradition sparkle like new. Audiences will be swept away as Clara, the Sugar Plum Fairy, dancing toys, mischievous mice, sparkling snowflakes, waltzing flowers, and a cast of hundreds take them on a magical journey to mystical lands.

The beautiful Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier are a highlight of the heroine, Clara’s adventure and will be performed by Festival Ballet Theatre’s spectacular guest artists. The Sugar Plum Fairy will be danced by Tara Ghassemieh Luiz (Festival Ballet Theatre), Maria Kochetkova (former San Francisco Ballet), Jeraldine Mendoza (Joffrey Ballet) and Beckanne Sisk (Ballet West). The handsome Cavalier will be danced by: Dylan Gutierrez (Joffrey Ballet), Vitor Luiz (former San Francisco Ballet) and Chase O’Connell (Ballet West).

Tickets $45 - $60

Tickets can be purchased at thebarclay.org or by calling 949.854.4646.

The Nutcracker is approximately 2 hours in length, including one intermission. For more information, please visit festivalballet.org.

4242 Campus Drive in Irvine.