The Nutcracker Suite
Diablo Ballet presents an expanded two-act holiday ballet set in the 1950s at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco. Audiences follow Clara and her family as their hotel stay transforms into an enchanting adventure where a bellhop turns into the Nutcracker, hotel maids dance sweeps from the Kingdom of Sweets, and snow falls on stage. The production features Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's score, whimsical surprises, and characters including the Sugar Plum Fairy and the mischievous Mouse King.
What to Expect
Julia Adam's 1950s San Francisco reimagining of the classic holiday ballet.
Event Details
Duration
Approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, with one intermission.
Ages
All ages
Timed Entry
No
Organizer
Diablo Ballet
Local Insight & Ratings
Family Friendly
Best For
Families and holiday ballet fans
Vibe
Magical and festive
Energy Level
Low
Photo Friendly
Low
Weather Sensitivity
None
Location
Know Before You Go
- Hours: November 13: 7:30 pm; November 14: 2 pm and 7:30 pm.
Tips & Advice
- Buy tickets only through the Lesher Center website or ticket office, because tickets bought from third parties do not guarantee entrance or seating.
- Book the Saturday matinee if you have kids, since ticketholders are invited to a complimentary party with the cast in the lobby right afterward.
- Senior communities planning a group outing should email dan@diabloballet.org, who can help arrange their visit to the ballet.
- Allow about an hour and a half for the performance itself, which includes one intermission partway through.
Special Events & Promotions
- Complimentary post-performance party for children and parents in the Lesher Center lobby right after the Saturday, November 14 matinee, with a cast meet and greet, a ballet class demonstration and autograph signing.
- New this season: the production is expanded into two acts with new choreography and costumes.
Quick Actions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the ballet suitable for children?
Yes, the production is made for audiences of all ages. After the Saturday matinee there is also a complimentary party in the lobby for children and parents.
How long is the performance?
About an hour and a half, with one intermission.
How is this Nutcracker different from the classic?
Julia Adam's version is set in the 1950s at San Francisco's Fairmont Hotel. The Diablo family checks into the Nutcracker Suite on Christmas Eve. Drosselmeyer is the concierge, a bellhop becomes the Nutcracker, and hotel maids dance in the Kingdom of the Sweets.
What's new in this year's production?
Julia Adam's production has been expanded into a two-act ballet with new choreography and new costumes, and it opens Diablo Ballet's 33rd season.
Where should I buy tickets?
Buy only through the Lesher Center for the Arts website or its ticket office, which is the only official sales point. Tickets bought on third-party sites don't guarantee entrance or seating.
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