Theater Review: ABT's Nutcracker at Segerstrom Center #ABTNutcracker #SCFTA

Disclosure: We attended a media preview.

The holiday season is here and a tradition has returned to the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. The Nutcracker is back in Orange County and even better than before. This Ballet in two acts, choreographed by Alexei Ratmansky with music by Peter Ilyitch Tchaikovsky, gives a new fresh take on a classic. I was surprised by how many funny scenes there were from the mischievous mice scurrying about looking for pieces of food in the kitchen to one of the guests making a cloud every time he sneezed. The costumes are superbly crafted with vibrant colors especially the fairies and the Arabian, Spanish, Chinese and Russian Dolls. The dancers are extremely talented. The young cast was truly impressive. Claudia Schuman and Justin Souriau-Levine are terrific as Clara and Fritz. My absolute favorite part of the ballet was watching graceful Gillian Murphy dance her solo as the Princess. She was mesmerizing. I could not keep my eyes off of her. Her pointe technique is exceptional.

The Nutcracker is a great choice to introduce ballet to children. It is packed with action, and everything is carefully crafted to capture your attention from the music to the lighting. The sets are appealing and will make you believe you are in a real kitchen, at a party, in a battle, in a blizzard, in the Land of Sugar Plum Fairy and in a house on Christmas morning.

Pre-Show Activities

If you can go early (doors open an hour prior to showtime), enjoy the local school choir. Audience participation is recommended for some songs. We enjoyed jiggling our car keys to the tune of Jingle Bells. There's also photo opportunities with the Nutcracker in Winter Wonderland or a California Beach theme. It was a perfect way to get us into the Holiday spirit.  

Bolsa Grande High School Concert Choir (Garden Grove)
If you're headed to see The Nutcracker at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, local school choirs will welcome you before the show! Enjoy! ~Lett
Posted by Let's Play OC on Monday, December 14, 2015

 

American Ballet Theater's The Nutcracker is now performing at Segerstrom Center for the Arts through December 20, 2015. I would highly recommend taking your children to see it! They will be enchanted. My daughter had a wonderful time and was so excited to tell her friends the next day. Different principal dancers will perform depending on what day you choose to attend. For ticket information, please call them at (714) 556-2787 or visit their website at SCFTA.org or ABT.org. My daughter had a fantastic evening, and we want to do it every year. Thanks, Segerstrom!

~Lett