SAN FRANCISCO, CA, November 28, 2023—San Francisco Ballet (SF Ballet) is pleased to announce the casting details for Nutcracker, December 13–30. A cornerstone of the Bay Area holiday season, Nutcracker continues to captivate audiences with its timeless tale of wonder and unparalleled artistry throughout 31 performances this winter.
Under the visionary leadership of Artistic Director Tamara Rojo, SF Ballet invites patrons to immerse themselves in the Land of Snow, the hallmark of SF Ballet’s Nutcracker. Featuring San Francisco’s only annual blizzard with 150 pounds of “snow” at each performance, Tchaikovsky’s iconic score is brought to life by the grace and precision of SF Ballet dancers. “I am both humbled and exhilarated by the boundless creativity and passion of our dancers,” says Rojo. “The enchantment of Nutcracker can already be felt throughout the city.”
On opening night, Principal Dancers Sasha De Sola, Nikisha Fogo, and Aaron Robison; and Soloist Jasmine Jimison and Corps de Ballet member Mingxuan Wang will dance the iconic roles of the Sugar Plum Fairy, Grand Pas de Deux, and Queen and King of the Snow. Choreographed by previous SF Ballet Artistic Director Helgi Tomasson, Nutcracker features designs by Tony Award–winners Michael Yeargan (scenic) and Martin Pakledinaz (costume), lighting designs by James F. Ingalls, and projection design by Wendall K. Harrington.
Set in San Francisco in 1915 during the Panama-Pacific International Exposition, Nutcracker will transform the city into a realm of dreams and fantasy—audience members can even spot an ode to San Francisco’s iconic Painted Ladies in Act 1. SF Ballet became the first ballet company in the United States to perform a complete version of Nutcracker in 1944, establishing a local holiday tradition that resonates today.
Principal casting for the entire run of Nutcracker is available here. Press images for Nutcracker are available on the online press photos page; new registration is required.
Additionally, SF Ballet is pleased to provide details about the following programs, in addition to those previously announced:
Nutcracker-Inspired Chair Dance Classes for Seniors
SF Ballet is hosting four Nutcracker-inspired chair dance classes for seniors taught by SF Ballet School Faculty member Cecelia Beam. Offered online and at local senior centers, select classes will include a San Francisco Ballet and Nutcracker history lesson taught by Dance Educator Claire Sheridan. Classes will be available at The Sequoias San Francisco on December 1, the San Francisco Senior Center–Aquatic Park on December 4, the Downtown Senior Center on O’Farrell Street on December 11, and presented via Zoom in partnership with SF Public Library on December 9.
Holiday Heroes at Oracle Park
Celebrate this season of giving by bringing joy to hundreds of Bay Area children and their families. SF Ballet will be joining the Wender Weis Foundation for Children at Oracle Park on December 12 for the magical Holiday Heroes celebration. At the event, guests will be invited to decorate pointe shoes at arts and crafts tables and enjoy photo ops with SF Ballet School students dressed in elegant Nutcracker costumes. SF Ballet will provide 50 complimentary Holiday Heroes tickets to the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco.
Nutcracker Viewing Parties at Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco
Watch a live DVD recording of SF Ballet’s Nutcracker at 12 different Boys & Girls Clubs locations throughout the month of December (dates vary by location). All viewing party attendees will receive a teddy bear decorated in SF Ballet bows to celebrate the holiday season.
Nutcracker Tickets
Single tickets to Nutcracker start at $25. Tickets may be purchased online or by calling Ticket Services at 415-865-2000, open Monday through Friday, 10am to 4pm. A service charge applies and prices are subject to change.
Contact:
Public Relations
San Francisco Ballet
415-865-6610
press@sfballet.org
Click here for photos
NUTCRACKER
DECEMBER 13-30, 2023
WAR MEMORIAL OPERA HOUSE, 301 VAN NESS AT GROVE
DAY DATE TIME
Wednesday December 13 7PM
Thursday December 14 11AM, 7PM
Friday December 15 2PM, 7PM
Saturday December 16 2PM, 7PM
Sunday December 17 2PM, 7PM
Tuesday December 19 11AM, 7PM
Wednesday December 20 2PM, 7PM
Thursday December 21 2PM, 7PM
Friday December 22 2PM, 7PM
Saturday December 23 2PM, 7PM
Sunday December 24 11AM, 4PM
Tuesday December 26 2PM, 7PM
Wednesday December 27 2PM, 7PM
Thursday December 28 2PM, 7PM
Friday December 29 2PM, 7PM
Saturday December 30 11AM, 4PM
ABOUT SAN FRANCISCO BALLET
San Francisco Ballet is a leading ballet company and trailblazer in dance locally, nationally, and internationally. Performing, commissioning, and collaborating with exceptional artists in dance and across disciplines, SF Ballet balances an innovative focus on new and contemporary choreography with a deeply held dedication to the classics. SF Ballet is a catalyst for the future of ballet by cultivating creativity, bringing dance of the highest caliber to a wide audience, and providing exceptional training opportunities for the next generation of professional dancers in its world-renowned School.
Since its founding in 1933 and as the oldest professional ballet company in the United States, the Ballet has been an innovator in the artform and an originator of beloved cultural traditions, from staging the first American production of Swan Lake to bringing an annual holiday Nutcracker to U.S. audiences.