Westside Ballet’s “Nutcracker” returns to stage
Indigo Craane, Staff Writer
Westside Ballet’s 48th production of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker marked the company’s return to the Broad Stage at the SMC Performing Arts Center. A SoCal holiday classic since 1973, the city’s longest-running production of The Nutcracker has delighted audiences of all ages. However, this year’s live stage performance has particularly been long-awaited after a nearly two-year drought of live entertainment and arts due to COVID-19. With only six performances, beginning Thanksgiving weekend and running until Dec. 6, the tickets were quick to sell out.
For the students, many of whom are native to Santa Monica, this year is an opportunity to showcase their work and effort after such a hiatus. Sawyer Jordan (’25), a freshman at Samo, is a long-time dancer at Westside Ballet. Dancing in the Nutcracker production this year in the Spanish and Russian dance, Jordan commented on what it is like to be involved in the annual holiday classic.
“Being in the Nutcracker is pretty fun, but it can be a lot of hard work. But when it’s done, the public can watch something really cool,” Jordan said.
Jordan is not the only Samo student who was involved in the ballet—many are involved with the second act where the main character, Clara, and her prince are entertained by the Land of Sweets’ dancers. Aleena Michaels (’25) dances in the Arabian and Spanish dance, Skye Smith (’24) and Eleanor Smith (’24) play in the Chinese and Flower dance respectively. Former Samo student, Danielle Zhou, returned to Westside Ballet to play the coveted role of the Sugar Plum Fairy.
Their rendition of the holiday tale is a close portrayal of George Balanchine’s original version, preserving the traditional beloved characters and scenes. Act I of the ballet follows the main character, Clara, as she ventures through a Victorian-style Christmas party, a mice battle with toy soldiers and a once-Nutcracker-turned prince that travels with her through the Land of Snow. As the curtain rises for Act II, Clara and the Prince arrive in the Land of Sweets, where they are entertained by Spanish chocolates, Arabian coffee, Candycanes and the Sugar Plum Fairy. Collaborating with the College Symphony Orchestra, who plays Tchaikovsky’s grandiose score, the traditional full-length ballet features the exhilarating choreography and costumes that are a trademark of the tale.
“For me, it was nostalgic to see the Nutcracker. It’s just so pretty. I hadn’t seen it in years and it was always something I looked forward to in the winter... Watching Westside’s version just made me feel sentimental,” Ariana Mousavi (’23) said.
The company is closely intertwined with the Santa Monica community, and could only happen through grants and donations from local businesses and organizations. The Los Angeles County, city of Santa Monica and the Pacific Palisades Woman’s Club, as well as businesses Urth Caffe, Lyft Scooters and the Santa Monica College Public Policy Institute have been huge donors to the program. By virtue of these contributions, Westside Ballet’s Nutcracker was able to return to the live stage this year and entertain the audience during the holiday season.
Aleena Michaels (’25) and Evan Swenson dancing in the Westside Ballet’s Nutcracker as the Arabians.