Festival Ballet Theatre presents the return of The Nutcracker. The critically acclaimed production, featuring magnificent colorful sets and dazzling costumes by award-winning designers Simon Pastukh and Galina Solovyeva, has been delighting audiences and critics in Orange County for over 30 years. The Nutcracker, set to Tchaikovsky’s renowned score, opens December 7 with performances through December 24 at the Irvine Barclay Theatre.
“The Nutcracker is a time-honored experience for so many people during the holiday season and we are honored to be part of their traditions and welcome new audience members every year,” said Artistic Director, Salwa Rizkalla. “There is something for everyone in this breathtaking production, which captures the holiday spirit and showcases our Company through iconic music, sets, costumes and choreography.”
The full-length traditional production is choreographed and directed by Festival Ballet Theatre’s Artistic Director, Salwa Rizkalla, and features world-renowned guest artists, professional Festival Ballet Theatre company dancers, and exceptional young talent from across the Southland.
Festival Ballet Theatre’s breathtaking production of The Nutcracker makes this age-old holiday tradition sparkle like new. Audiences will be swept away as Clara, the Sugar Plum Fairy, dancing toys, mischievous mice, sparkling snowflakes, waltzing flowers, and a cast of hundreds take them on a magical journey to mystical lands.
The beautiful Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier are a highlight of the heroine, Clara’s adventure and will be performed by Festival Ballet Theatre’s spectacular guest artists. The Sugar Plum Fairy will be danced by: Tara Ghassemieh Luiz (Festival Ballet Theatre), Maria Kochetkova (former San Francisco Ballet), Jeraldine Mendoza (Joffrey Ballet) and Beckanne Sisk (Ballet West). The handsome Cavalier will be danced by: Dylan Gutierrez (Joffrey Ballet), Vitor Luiz (former San Francisco Ballet) and Chase O’Connell (Ballet West).
All 14 performances will take place at The Irvine Barclay Theatre (4242 Campus Drive, Irvine, CA 92612).
Esteemed Guest Artists and Performance Dates:
Tara Ghassemieh Luiz – Festival Ballet Theatre Company Dancer
Vitor Luiz – Former San Francisco Ballet
Saturday, December 7, 2019 @ 7:00 PM
Sunday, December 8, 2019 @ 1:00 PM
Sunday, December 22, 2019 @ 6:00 PM
Beckanne Sisk – Ballet West
Chase O’Connell – Ballet West
Friday, December 13, 2019 @ 7:00 PM
Saturday, December 14, 2019 @ 2:00 PM
Saturday, December 14, 2019 @ 7:00 PM
Sunday, December 15, 2019 @ 1:00 PM
Sunday, December 15, 2019 @ 6:00 PM
Maria Kochetkova – Former San Francisco Ballet
Vitor Luiz – Former San Francisco Ballet
Friday, December 20, 2019 @ 7:00 PM
Saturday, December 21, 2019 @ 2:00 PM
Saturday, December 21, 2019 @ 7:00 PM
Sunday, December 22, 2019 @ 1:00 PM
Jeraldine Mendoza – Joffrey Ballet
Dylan Gutierrez – Joffrey Ballet
Monday, December 23, 2019 @ 6:00 PM
Tuesday, December 24, 2019 @ 11:00 AM
Please note: Guest artists may be subject to change.
Tickets
$45 – $60
Tickets can be purchased at www.thebarclay.org/ or by calling 949.854.4646.
The Nutcracker is approximately 2 hours in length, including one intermission. For more information, please visit:
festivalballet.org/the-nutcracker-2019/.
RELATED EVENTS
Nutcracker Tea Party
Attendees of The Nutcracker ballet production may purchase an additional very special holiday treat to The
Nutcracker Tea Party.
While adults sip a glass of champagne, children will be gathered to listen to the story of The Nutcracker and be visited
by some of the characters from the ballet. The elegant sit-down tea will be prepared by Chef Laurent of White House
Catering and include delicious finger sandwiches, sweet treats, tea and lemonade. Photo opportunities and a party
favor are included for each guest.
Nutcracker Tea Parties take place one hour before the performance on the following dates and times:
Saturday, December 7, 2019 at 6:00 pm
Sunday, December 8, 2019 at 12:00 pm
Saturday, December 14, 2019 at 1:00 pm
Saturday, December 14, 2019 at 6:00 pm
Sunday, December 15, 2019 at 12:00 pm
Sunday, December 15, 2019 at 5:00 pm
Saturday, December 21, 2019 at 1:00 pm
Saturday, December 21, 2019 at 6:00 pm
Sunday, December 22, 2019 at 12:00 pm
Sunday, December 22, 2019 at 5:00 pm
Monday, December 23, 2019 at 5:00 pm
Tuesday, December 24, 2019 at 10:00 am
Tickets:
Adults & Seniors: $30
Students & Children Under 21: $25
Contact the Barclay Box Office directly at 949.854.4646 or tickets@thebarclay.org for assistance with
Nutcracker Tea Party tickets.
Please note: Tea Party tickets are for the Tea Party only and do not include admittance to The Nutcracker ballet
production.
About Festival Ballet Theatre (FBT)
Festival Ballet Theatre is a nonprofit organization founded in 1988 by Salwa Rizkalla. Its mission is to enrich
Orange County’s artistic and economic vitality, to inspire love and appreciation for dance, and to invigorate
ballet by:
• Presenting a season of exhilarating classical and contemporary performances
• Providing a nurturing environment for dancers and choreographers
• Offering stimulating educational outreach programs
For more information, visit www.festivalballet.org.
About Salwa Rizkalla, Artistic Director
Artistic Director Salwa Rizkalla has contributed to the Orange County community for more than 30 years by
presenting excellence in dance performance through Festival Ballet Theatre and providing top-tier classical
ballet training at Southland Ballet Academy.
During her professional dancing career, Ms. Rizkalla graced the stage in leading roles in well-known classical
ballets as well as contemporary pieces. She had the privilege of working under the direction of world-renowned
choreographers Leonid Lavrovsky and Serge Lifar. As a young dancer, Ms. Rizkalla trained in the Vaganova
method and studied with Russian ballet masters. As the culmination of her training, Ms. Rizkalla completed a
Bachelor of Arts degree in Ballet Pedagogy. She established Southland Ballet Academy in 1983 and debuted
Festival Ballet Theatre in 1988. In addition to teaching and directing, Ms. Rizkalla was a faculty member of
several area institutions.
Many arts organizations have recognized her service. The Orange County Music and Arts Administrators and
Orange County Performing Arts Center jointly presented her the Orange County Arts Educator of the Year
Award for Secondary Dance (2003); Youth America Grand Prix awarded Ms. Rizkalla Outstanding Teacher
accolades since its inception; and Arts Orange County recognized Ms. Rizkalla with the Helena Modjeska
Cultural Legacy Award (2014). Ms. Rizkalla was named one of OC’s 100 Most Influential in 2017 by the OC
Register.
Ms. Rizkalla has been honored to impact the lives of hundreds of students and their families through her
teaching. She is proud to be a dedicated educator, an energetic promoter of the arts, and an active
participant in the cultural life of her community.
For more information, visit www.festivalballet.org.
