Orange County’s Own Festival Ballet Theatre (FBT) To Present A Nutcracker For The Whole Family

Fountain Valley, CA (September 30, 2015) — Festival Ballet Theatre (FBT) will present their family favorite production of The Nutcracker from December 12 to 24, 2015 at Irvine Barclay Theatre in Irvine, California. This highly anticipated, traditional and charming production features guest artists from world-renowned ballet companies, Festival Ballet Theatre’s accomplished company dancers, and the talented students of the Southland Ballet Academy.

Set to the timeless music of Peter Tchaikovsky, The Nutcracker tells the story of Clara, a young girl who is given a nutcracker soldier from her mysterious godfather Drosselmeyer. After the party guests depart, magical events unfold: the Christmas tree grows taller, toy soldiers and little mice become larger, and Clara’s nutcracker comes to life. He battles the ferocious Mouse King, and just when it seems all is lost, Clara distracts the Mouse King and saves her beloved nutcracker. Her act of bravery transforms the nutcracker soldier into a handsome prince. He sweeps Clara into a magical journey through the snowy forest and on to the Land of Sweets. A cherished holiday ballet, The Nutcracker showcases adventure, excitement, and sweet memories for all ages.

This holiday celebration features dancing toys, mischievous mice, sparkling snowflakes and waltzing flowers. The beautiful Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier are a highlight of Clara’s adventure – FBT’s spectacular guest artists will dance this bravura pas de deux. Maria Kochetkova, Sara Mearns, and Irina Dvorovenko will each grace the stage as the Sugar Plum Fairy and will be joined by their handsome Cavaliers Tiit Helimets, Fabrice Calmels, and Maxim Beloserkovsky (see below for performance details).

Festival Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker is made even more magical with sets and costumes by Simon Pastukh and Galina Solovyeva. No holiday season is complete without seeing this iconic ballet. The full-length, traditional production is choreographed and directed by Festival Ballet Theatre’s Artistic Director Salwa Rizkalla.

Festival Ballet Theatre: The NutcrackerDec 12-24, 2015Tickets: $45, Adults; $42, Seniors (65+), $40 children (12 and under)

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Esteemed Guest Artists And Performance Dates:

Maria Kochetkova – San Francisco BalletTiit Helimets – San Francisco BalletSaturday, December 12, 2015 @ 2:00 PMSaturday, December 12, 2015 @ 7:00 PM Sunday, December 13, 2015 @ 1:00 PM Sunday, December 13, 2015 @ 6:00 PM

Sara Mearns – New York City BalletFabrice Calmels – Joffrey BalletFriday, December 18, 2015 @ 7:00 PMSaturday, December 19, 2015 @ 2:00 PMSaturday, December 19, 2015 @ 7:00 PMSunday, December 20, 2015 @ 1:00 PMSunday, December 20, 2015 @ 6:00 PM