The Original Santa Cruz Nutcracker

Celebrating Eleven years at the Civic!

Friday, December 20 at 8 PM; Saturday, December 21 at 1 and 4:30 PM; and Sunday, December 22 at 1 and 4:30 PM.

Welcome to The Nutcracker — A favorite holiday tradition for people of all ages! No matter what your relationship to this wondrous music, no matter how many times you may have attended, danced in or played in the orchestra, all agree that The Nutcracker is a gift. The performers truly enjoy telling the story and bringing the magic alive, not just for children, but also for those who count on The Nutcracker to welcome in the season.

Although Maestro Pamela Martin is new to Santa Cruz, she has many years of experience working with orchestras and dance companies such as Cleveland/San Jose Ballet, Ballet West in Salt Lake City, and Oakland Ballet with the Oakland East Bay Symphony.

Having conducted various versions of The Nutcracker (including three different versions for the Oakland Ballet!), she expressed that Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre’s version is musically very pure: “There are very few cuts or changes and most musicians, including myself, are quite appreciative of that. The Nutcracker score itself is truly a masterpiece, and I have always found it artistically very satisfying.”

She also admits to a fondness for conducting for ballet; as she sees it, through the dancers the music becomes visible. As a ballet conductor, she has learned that it is best not to “follow the dancers,” rather, it is her job to lay down tempos that will serve the choreography. And of course, an important part of this process is an orchestra that watches the conductor closely and responds well. As a guest conductor last year, she was delighted to find how cohesive and attentive the Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre Orchestra is. “They are excellent players who give 110% every time.”

Nahshon Marden, a young, promising dancer who will be dancing his second year with this Nutcracker, is happy with the great work ethic in rehearsals and how everyone enjoys the process. He has been learning how to partner not only from his teachers Robert Kelley and Diane Cypher, but also from his partners in each dance. “I find that a good partner is someone who knows how to dance with his or her own strength, while making it blend with the partner’s strength. I find that we are both constantly working at the same time to make it work.”

Norman Peck, Orchestra Manager and percussionist, speaks about live music versus recordings: “No digital representation can replace the immediately visceral, first hand experience of the talent and energy of the artists. The Nutcracker is a BIG production and a palatable spark permeates the auditorium completely.

The orchestra is placed in the middle of everything in the perfect location to connect with the audience and the dancers.” It is a given that with performers onstage, the orchestra becomes accompanist to the dancers; however, this does not diminish their role. “Our attention, and the conductor’s, is focused on following the nuances of this very human and therefore unpredictable art form and making that accompaniment as solid and dependable as possible.”

Diane Cypher, co-Executive Director for Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre, comments on her Nutcracker experiences as a ballerina: “I was fortunate to work with very accomplished conductors. My collaborations with these conductors changed the way I would interpret a role’s musicality, and sometimes even my dramatic interpretation was transformed with their knowledge and advice.” Diane also notes the collaboration she had with Brenda Vahur, who played Celeste to Diane’s Sugar Plum. “Having this kind of camaraderie was definitely a high point of my career as a dancer.” She also points out that “Live music brings an extra human element to it all–which is exciting and makes you listen more carefully.”

Maestro Pamela Martin gets the final word: “Robert Kelley’s Nutcracker is a special version. It not only tells the magical story, it does so with a great deal of heart and has real respect for Tchaikovsky’s score. The Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre dancers do a wonderful job of bringing the show to life, and having the exquisite Melody Mennite as the Sugar Plum Fairy makes it extraordinary.”

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The Santa Cruz Nutcracker

Celebrating Eleven years at the Civic!

Featuring guest artists from the Houston Ballet plus the Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre Orchestra with 55 professional musicians

Conducted by the remarkable Maestro Pamela Martin

Friday, December 20 at 8 PM • Saturday, December 21 at 1 and 4:30 PM • Sunday, December 22 at 1 and 4:30 PM.

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Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre presents

The Original Santa Cruz Nutcracker Special Event!

An additional Nutcracker Sweet Treats backstage event, a delight for children of all ages, can be purchased separately. Join us as Nutcracker magic comes alive prior to curtain! Nutcracker characters will be on hand to greet you for photos, so bring your camera! You will also receive a cookie, compliments of Pacific Cookie Company, and an ornament to commemorate this holiday tradition. Available on Saturday and Sunday only, prior to the 1:00 PM performances.

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Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at www.santacruztickets.com. You may also purchase in person at the Civic Auditorium Box Office, 307 Church Street, Santa Cruz, or by calling 831-420-5260.