Tiler Peck and Roman Mejia are performing in Westside Ballet’s 2024 Nutcracker. Photo: SARAH MADISION PHOTOGRAPHY
One of the loveliest and most beloved holiday traditions is the Westside Ballet’s Nutcracker. Always magical from the grand Victorian party to the Land of the Sweets, where characters such as the Peppermint Candies and the Marzipan Mirlitons come alive, Westside Ballet’s Nutcracker remains a visual feast that blends both the familiar and the innovative.
This year the production stars New York City Ballet Principals Tiler Peck and Roman Mejia, infusing star power into a cherished tradition. Westside Ballet alumna Tiler Peck is the Sugar Plum Fairy and is joined by fellow NYCB principal Roman Mejia as her Cavalier.
The pairing offers an extraordinary display of talent, echoing the spirit of legendary productions at New York City Ballet. As the magic unfolds on stage, Peck and Mejia’s dynamic artistry promises to make this Nutcracker truly unforgettable.
Tiler Peck performs as the Sugar Plum Fairy.
Photo: SARAH MADISION PHOTOGRAPHY
Additionally, the production has new backdrops and scenic elements designed by Ian Lovell, which update snow and portal scenes.
Dancing on the Broad Stage will be 125 dancers garbed in 225 different costumes. Anyone who has ever attended this lovely event can attest to the magical and whimsical evening this Nutcracker provides.
And for pure sweetness, look for the talented 12 dancers from Pacific Palisades ages, 10 to 16, who dance in many of the scenes. (Look for a future story about some of the Palisades dancers).
“For generations, so many people have considered our annual Nutcracker performances the start of the Holiday Season and our 2024’s production will be truly world-class,” said Martine Haley, Artistic Director. “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!”
Westside Ballet of Santa Monica’s The Nutcracker is a living tribute to the legacy of its co-founders, Yvonne Mounsey and Rosemary Valaire, who established the company in 1973, with a mission to bring the highest caliber of classical ballet to Southern California.
Mounsey, who was a principal dancer with the New York City Ballet under George Balanchine, infused the Westside production with the authentic spirit of Balanchine’s choreography. Westside Ballet’s Nutcracker preserves the classic elements of E.T.A. Hoffmann’s “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” and Marius Petipa’s original staging, while weaving in Balanchine’s iconic style. Mounsey pioneered the role of Center Spanish at New York City Ballet.
The Nutcracker will be held at the Eli and Edythe Broad Stage at the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center, 1310 11th St, Santa Monica. Tickets are $65 and can be purchased online at westsideballet.com/NutTix
Show Dates and Times:
Saturday, November 30: 1 pm and 5 pm*
Sunday, December 1: 1 pm and 5 pm*
Friday, December 6: 7 pm
Saturday, December 7: 1 pm and 5 pm*
Sunday, December 8: 1 pm and 5 pm*
(*Tiler Peck & Roman Mejia performing.)
Sponsors for the Nutcracker: The Nutcracker production is made possible in part by grants from the City of Santa Monica, Los Angeles County, and the State of California—with past grants from the Rotary Club and a LA County COVID-19 Arts Relief Fund—and from sponsorships from local Santa Monica individuals, businesses, and organizations including Santa Monica College Public Policy Institute, The Huntley Santa Monica Beach Hotel, Urth Caffe, Morley Builders and LA Philanthropic Committee for the Arts.