Petra Conti and Eris Nezha in the Los Angeles Ballet production of The Nutcracker.
LOS ANGELES, CA – 12/7/2021- “We are so thrilled to announce our return to theaters,” says Co-Artistic Director of the Los Angeles Ballet, Colleen Neary. “We have missed our subscribers and supporters as much as they have missed seeing us on stage. To celebrate, we are presenting a season filled with themes of joy, hope and love.”
In keeping with the themes of the 2021-2022 season, The Los Angeles Ballet presents, “The Nutcracker,” a ballet that has enchanted audiences time and time again. Although the story of “The Nutcracker” originally takes place in Germany, the Los Angeles Ballet has selected a setting that Angelenos will recognize right away: A Spanish style home in California back in the year 1912. The ambiance reflective of the Spanish, Mexican and European influences of that time.
But the characters remain the same: Clara, the Nutcracker, Drosselmeyer, the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Mouse King. All assembled to bring a Christmas classic to life. We reached out to Colleen Neary to learn more about the creative choices in the Los Angeles Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker, her work with the legendary George Balanchine and more.
The setting of the Los Angeles Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker has been changed to reflect the Los Angeles audience. What was the process for how that came about?
We tried to create a typical Los Angeles view and set the production in Los Angeles around 1912 with a Spanish style home in the Party Scene. Then, moving to the Sierra Nevadas in the Snow Scene, followed by a sea setting by the ocean in Act 2 to create a hometown feel that audiences can relate to.
What do you feel is the enduring worldwide appeal of The Nutcracker in general?
The Nutcracker is a tradition especially in America, where families and audiences alike look forward to coming to see a performance that many have been to since they were children. It represents the Holiday Season and has an appeal to children of all ages, that gives joy, hope and magic to all.
In your opinion, why has The Nutcracker been able to touch audiences the way that it has throughout the years?
The story has been able to touch audiences through its magic and also through Tchaikovsky’s music. It is glorious and well known. You can hear it on TV, in movies, in commercials and even department stores during the holiday season. It is recognized as one of the most beautiful sounds of the holiday season.
You danced as a soloist with the New York City Ballet under the direction of the legendary George Balanchine. What advice did he give you back then in regard to training and performing that has stayed with you to this very day?
Balanchine was a master and believed that you should always give your 100% at all times. He wanted you to dance to the fullest and he always said, “Don’t think, just dance,” meaning that the dance was the most important part of your performance and to enjoy and give your all when you perform. The music was also very important to him, so his choreography always represented the music beautifully, and therefore you represented the music through his steps. He had a great respect for the beauty of the art form. “See the Music, hear the Dance” is one of the most famous of his quotes, and as I always tell our dancers, what he told me was live and dance for now, not for yesterday or tomorrow. Live for today and now! Which is so relevant for where we are in the world today!”
Cover photo of Mackenzie Moser as Clara and and photography courtesy of Reed Hutchinson.
The Los Angeles Ballet’s presentation of The Nutcracker will be at the following venues. Please visit this site for more ticket information.
Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center
Saturday December 11 at 12 pm and 5 pm
Sunday December 12 at 12 pm
Royce Hall, UCLA
Friday December 17 at 8 pm
Saturday December 18 at 12 pm
Saturday December 18 at 5 pm
Sunday December 19 at 12 pm
Sunday December 19 at 5 pm
Dolby Theatre Featuring the Los Angeles Ballet Orchestra
Thursday December 23 at 8 pm
Friday December 24 at 12 pm
Sunday December 26 at 11 am
Sunday December 26 at 4 pm
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