Los Angeles Ballet to Perform ‘The Nutcracker’ Throughout December
Sandra Miska
Nutcracker fans, rejoice! Not only will the Moscow Ballet be performing the beloved Christmas show at The Wiltern on December 21, but also our very own Los Angeles Ballet will be doing their own version of “The Nutcracker” Dec. 6-28 at four different venues in the L.A. area.
The Los Angeles Ballet will be performing at the following locations: Alex Theatre in Glendale (Dec. 6-7), Dolby Theatre in Hollywood (Dec. 13-14), Royce Hall at UCLA (Dec. 20-21) and Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center (Dec. 27-28).
While the Moscow Ballet will be performing a more mature, stripped-down version of “The Nutcracker,” the Los Angeles Ballet’s rendition will veer more on the side of classical, so much so that Red Tricycle, an online magazine for L.A. families, named LAB’s Nutcracker the Most Traditional in town.
From LAB’s official website: “Join Clara and her beloved Nutcracker as she travels to the Land of Snow, and to the Palace of the Dolls where all of her favorite doll companions come to life.”
The Los Angeles Ballet is a new institution, having only been formed in 2004, but is already considered to be an excellent ballet company. In addition to classical ballets like “The Nutcracker,” LAB is committed to performing newer works. Recent shows from the 2013-2014 season include Jiří Kylián’s “Return to a Strange Land,” Sonya Tayeh’s “Beneath One’s Dignity,” and Christopher Stowell’s “Cipher.” Following “The Nutcracker,” LAB will be performing another classic, “Sleeping Beauty.” Both of the latter two ballets are part of the Tchaikovsky Trilogy, named for the shows’ composer, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.
LAB is more than a dance company; their Los Angeles Ballet School offers classes for aspiring dancers ages 3-19, as well as a pre-professional program for experienced dancers over 19.
Los Angeles Ballet is also all about giving back. Through LAB’s POP! Power of Performance!, ten percent of all ticket sales go to helping disadvantaged children and their families. In addition, LAB works with Veteran Tickets Foundation to in order to provide cultural experiences for military personnel and their families.
LAB’s A Chance to Dance, a community outreach program founded by principal dancer Allynne Noelle, offers locals a chance to learn about dance and a healthy lifestyle. One Sunday a month during the LAB season, LAB dancers teach free classes at the Los Angeles Ballet Center.
Los Angeles Ballet will perform “The Nutcracker” a four different Los Angeles area locations December 6-28. For more information, go here