SAN FRANCISCO—The San Francisco Ballet is presenting the Nutcracker from December 10 thru December 29. This year’s artistic director is Helgi Tomasson.
On December 24, 1944, the Nutcracker debuted in the United States at San Francisco’s War Memorial Opera House. Due to its popularity it continued to perform and has since become a Christmas tradition, according to the San Francisco Ballet website.
The Nutcracker is the story of a young girl, Clara who dreams of a “whole new world” with a variety of characters, in particular a Nutcracker doll. The two embark on an adventure involving a Snow King and Queen and a “fierce” Mouse King. The original score is composed by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky and choreographed by Helgi Tomasson. It is a 2 hour show with a 20-minute intermission.
Five Family Performances will be available for the first 500 children to arrive. The SF Ballet will provide a time for photos with cast members, and complimentary snacks and beverages lasting 30-minutes.
Due to the popularity of this year’s season of Nutcracker, the SF Ballet has extended the schedule. Tickets can be purchased online on the SF Ballet website or by calling (415) 865-2000. The prices range from $65 to $548, depending on the section and number of seats. The performance address is at the War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Ave. San Francisco, CA 94102.
