Nutcracker: Experience the Magic!

Join the festivities and kick off your family’s holiday traditions with the
magical Nutcracker Ballet, a spectacular performance sure to delight and inspire!

This Thanksgiving weekend, the Santa Cruz Dance Guild presents the full length Nutcracker Ballet at Cabrillo’s Crocker Theater. What better way to bring in the season than with smiles, beauty and laughter?

Director/Choreographer and Juilliard Alumnae, Shannon Chipman began the Nutcracker tradition as the Snow Queen in the first ever production of the Nutcracker in Santa Cruz at Cabrillo’s theater in 1988. Director/Choreographer, Vicki Bergland was Assistant Director to that original production.

Chipman and Bergland combine their artistic efforts alongside choreographers, Melissa Palumbo and Michelle Bjorkman to reinvent the stunning Nutcracker ballet at Cabrillo’s Crocker Theater once again. The Santa Cruz Dance Guild production has become a steadfast holiday tradition.

Taking the stage this year, Jeff Stanton, a Santa Cruz Ballet legend, will bedazzle audiences as the mysterious Drosselmeyer. Stanton began his early training alongside Chipman in Santa Cruz and went on to dance as soloist with San Francisco Ballet and later became principal dancer at Pacific Northwest Ballet. Now Ballet Master for Oregon Ballet Theater, Stanton comes home to share his years of professional experience and his love of dance.

Guest artists include Brian Simcoe & Xuan Cheng, Principal Dancers of Oregon Ballet Theater as Cavalier & Sugarplum Fairy. The couple is known for their elegant lines, precise technique and virtuosic turns and lifts. Santa Cruz native, Leila Drake, Principal Dancer with State Street Ballet dances the role of Snow Queen. Leila is known to bedazzle audiences with her passion and stunning presence.

Talented and devoted dancers ages four through sixty-four from our local community. Buzz with excitement, as they have the opportunity to dance alongside these accomplished professionals.

As a special treat this year, Mother Ginger will be performed by Krazy George. You may know him as the inventor of “The Wave” or you may have seen him cheer for the San Jose Earthquakes or the Oakland A’s. Don’t miss this special opportunity to see Krazy George light up the stage and have you cheering for his team of adorable gingersnaps!

Each year there is something new to see! We invite you to experience Classical Ballet, enchanting choreography, magnificent Guest Artists, beautiful sets, brilliant costumes, family, tradition and the Joy of Dance at the Nutcracker! Experience the Magic for yourself!

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Thanksgiving Weekend Sat 11/26 & Sun 11/27 Cabrillo’s Crocker Theater. Performances are 1:00 & 4:30 p.m. – both days. Reserved seating. Order your tickets today. Children under three on your lap are FREE!

Affordable tickets the whole family will enjoy! Tickets: www.NutcrackerSantaCruz.com