Photo by Sarah Madison
By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor
Westside Ballet of Santa Monica’s holiday-time performances of “The Nutcracker” will return to the stage this year with several Palisadian dancers—marking 51 years of the production.
“For generations, so many people have considered our annual ‘Nutcracker’ performances the start of the holiday season,” Artistic Director Martine Harley said in a statement. “2024’s production will be truly world-class. The Westside Ballet has enjoyed a huge resurgence since 2020, and it feels fantastic to be back out, supporting the greater Santa Monica community with internationally renowned stars, a live symphony orchestra and stunning new set designs. Topping last year’s 50th-anniversary production is a major challenge, yet we believe we’ve done just that.”
Set to the score of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, led by The Santa Monica College Symphony Orchestra, this year’s production includes newly enhanced backdrops and scenic elements that capture the “timeless elegance” of the holiday classic, according to the statement.
“Designed by Ian Lovell, the updated snow and portal scenes transport the audience into a whimsical world, from a grand Victorian party to the magical Land of the Sweets, where classic characters like the Peppermint Candies and Marzipan Mirlitons come to life,” it continued.
Westside Ballet alumna Tiler Peck is set to return to the stage as the Sugar Plum Fairy, joined by Roman Mejia as her Cavalier.
This year’s show will feature over 125 dancers—as well as a number of Palisadians, including Mila Bakhshandehpour, Clara Ditter, Valentina Finci, Izzy Heidt, Inès Macpherson, Imogen Marble, Carlin McCaffrey, Zoe Nakamura, Laurel O’Donnell, Addison Russell, Kaia Sappington and Olivia Yu.
“Dance has become such a pivotal part of my life and I can’t really see a future without it,” said Bakhshandehpour, a sophomore at Marlborough School. “Ballet has truly helped me grow and develop into the person I am today, and learn so much more about myself, my ability to persevere, grow and improve both as a person and a dancer. It would genuinely be such a dream come true for me to dance professionally in a company, but I am just excited to see what will come as I can envision myself following numerous paths in the future.”
Westside Ballet’s late Co-Founder Yvonne Mounsey first brought “The Nutcracker” to Los Angeles in 1973, adding her own choreography—today, the company’s rendition of the ballet is Southern California’s longest-running production.
From 1973 to 2011, Mounsey oversaw Westside Ballet’s annual performances of the show, teaching dancers the same choreography and techniques she learned directly from George Balanchine. The show is a close rendition of Balanchine’s classical ballet, which was an homage to the original story—first danced in 19th century Russia.
Tickets to the show are $65. Show times are Saturday, November 30, at 1 and 5 p.m.; Sunday, December 1, at 1 and 5 p.m.; Friday, December 6, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, December 7, at 1 and 5 p.m. and Sunday, December 8, at 1 and 5 p.m.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit westsideballet.com/nuttix or call 800-595-4849.
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