Beloved Nutcracker Ballets Return

Santa Cruz City Ballet at International Academy of Dance

Kick off your holidays with joy! Add sparkle to the season with the magic of the Santa Cruz City Ballet Nutcracker.

This Nutcracker has it all — from the youngest dancing gingerbread cookies to aspiring professional dancers and guest artists.

Tchaikovsky’s iconic music, plus gorgeous costumes, dazzling sets, and exquisite dancing sure to delight and inspire all ages.

Santa Cruz City Ballet at International Academy of Dance presents the full-length Nutcracker Ballet one weekend only at Cabrillo College Crocker Theater, 6500 Lower Perimeter Road, Aptos, on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 18 and 19, with performances at 1 and 4:30 p.m. each day.

Masks must be worn indoors.

This is the 14th annual Nutcracker for Santa Cruz City Ballet at International Academy of Dance. It’s a holiday tradition with something new to see each year.

What better way to celebrate than with family, friends, beauty, smiles, community, laughter, and the Nutcracker? Experience the magic!

Tickets are $40-$45 for the general public and $35-$40 for senior citizens, students and children. Purchase tickets at www.nutcrackersantacruz.com

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Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre • By Betty Sanchez

Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre is taking the leap and bringing live ballet back this holiday season.

After a year of restrictions, “The Nutcracker” will once again grace the stage of the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium on Dev. 18 and 19, accompanied by a live orchestra.

Our local pre-professional ballet company has steadfastly continued training dancers through the Covid pandemic and is finally bringing back live performances.

“It’s been a long, difficult year for everyone,” said Artistic Director Diane Cypher. “The performing arts have been hit especially hard by the pandemic. Removing the traditional ways to teach and perform has forced us to think creatively, which we have done for over a year. Now it is possible to present live performances at the spacious Civic Auditorium, and with Covid safety protocols in place, we feel good about returning to the stage.”

Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre is partnering with music director Pamela Martin, orchestra conductor Norman Peck and 52 professional musicians to bring Tchaikovsky’s joyous score to life. Having live accompaniment has been a brilliant facet of the Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre production since 2002.

The production features Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre company dancers, many of whom are on the cusp of professional careers in dance. These teenagers have trained hard for most of their young lives.

“Live performance is an important part of their training. Further, performing with a live orchestra is an incredibly valuable experience to bring to a career in ballet,” Cypher said.

Covid protocols will be in place for the safety of performers and audience alike. Masks are required. A Covid vaccination card or negative test result taken within 72 hours of admission — with matching I.D. for those 17 and older — must be shown to enter the Civic Auditorium. (Santa Cruz County has a COVID-19 testing site in the Civic parking lot Monday through Thursday; make an appointment at lhi.care/covidtesting.)

It is a small sacrifice to make to enjoy a live performance again, and Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre needs audience support to survive.

The protocol applies to all ages. The performance, which is approximately 2 hours long with one 20-minute intermission, is recommended for children 3 years old and above.

Concessions will not be sold at the Civic, so please support local downtown restaurants before or after the show. We all need each others’ support to thrive.

Spend an afternoon or evening with your loved ones enjoying our favorite holiday tradition, “The Nutcracker.”

Performances are 1 and 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18 and Sunday, Dec. 19. Tickets are $20.50 to $71.50 and can be purchased at SantaCruzTickets.com or by calling (831) 420-5260 or at the Civic Box Office, 307 Church St., Santa Cruz, which is open Tuesday-Friday noon to 4 p.m.

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Agape Dance

Agape Dance presents the best Nutcracker Ballet in Santa Cruz County, performing live Dec. 17, 18 and 19 at the beautiful new Monte Vista Performing Arts Theater, 2 School Way, Watsonville.

Shows are at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Sunday. The Petite Nutcracker featuring youngsters ages 3-7 and their favorite dances is at 10-11 a.m. Saturday.

Artistic Director Melanie Useldinger is thrilled to offer live performances of the full-length Nutcracker at a state-of-the-art theater with great views from all seats and at a school with a high-caliber arts program growing its dance division.

Last season, because of pandemic restrictions to prevent illnesses, Agape Dance filmed a troupe of dancers and created its own Nutcracker Movie, which aired at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk drive-in theater.

This year, Useldinger joins director Conrad Useldinger and choreographer Kelly Beach to create a fresh new version of the beloved ballet featuring Agape dancers and alumni portraying Clara, the Nutcracker Soldier and the ever mysterious Drosselmeyer bringing Clara’s dreams to reality.

The sweet Sugar Plum Fairy, frosty Snow Flakes, tasty Ginger Snaps and the dramatic Nutcracker Soldiers all come to life on stage. Plus Tchaikovsky’s vivid music score, stunning costumes, lighting and sets to create the best Nutcracker experience in Santa Cruz County.

Tickets are $20-$40 at: AgapeDance.com. Information: 831-359-0850.