Photo by Erik Tomasson
For the astonishing 70th year, the San Francisco Ballet is presenting Nutcracker to audiences of many thousands, including a preponderance of youngsters, some of whom will be hooked and become balletomanes for life.
It is true: the first U.S. performance of the ballet to Tchaikovsky's music — choreographed by Willam Christensen — took place on Christmas Eve, 1944, launching a national holiday tradition. The Petipa-Ivanov original, premiered in St. Petersburg in 1892, had some popularity in Europe, but exploded in its omnipresent form — providing more than 40 percent of annual ticket revenues for major American ballet companies — only after that War Memorial event.
The current production, by Helgi Tomasson, is set by Michael Yeargan during the days of the 1915 Panama–Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco. The multitude of evening and matinee performances use the whole company, including every principal dancer.
Performances are scheduled Dec. 12-29, but there is Nutcracker activity around town already, including a free animated 3D light spectacular in Westfield San Francisco Centre, every half hour from 5 p.m. until mall closing. There are additional special events on several days, such as on Nov. 20, from 4 to 6 p.m. Children ages 8 can see a special movement workshop with S.F. Ballet School students, and the first 150 children to arrive will receive commemorative tutus.