Festival Ballet Theatre Presents The Nutcracker – International Ballet Stars Dance in Beloved Holiday Tradition to Enchant Audiences of all Ages

October 17, 2022 (IRVINE, CA) — Festival Ballet Theatre presents the return of its critically acclaimed production of The Nutcracker to the Irvine Barclay Theatre, one of Orange County’s premiere entertainment venues. The production has been delighting audiences in Orange County for more than 30 years. The Nutcracker, set to Tchaikovsky’s renowned score, opens December 10 with 13 matinee and evening performances through December 24. This year Festival Ballet Theatre welcomes back international ballet stars as guest artists, and families can once again enjoy the pre-show Nutcracker Tea Party.

“The Nutcracker is a time-honored treasure for so many people during the holiday season. 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 stunning production, which captures the joyful holiday spirit and showcases our Company through iconic music, sets, costumes and choreography.”

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 Clara’s adventure. These roles will be performed by international ballet stars, Festival Ballet Theatre’s spectacular guest artists. The Sugar Plum Fairy will be danced by Maria Kochetkova (former San Francisco Ballet), Lauren Lovette (former New York City Ballet) and Jeraldine Mendoza (Joffrey Ballet). The handsome Cavalier will be danced by Constantine Allen (Dutch National Ballet), Dylan Gutierrez (Joffrey Ballet) and Connor Walsh (Houston Ballet).

The full-length traditional production is choreographed and directed by Festival Ballet Theatre’s Artistic Director, Salwa Rizkalla. In addition to the world-renowned guest artists, it features professional Festival Ballet Theatre Company dancers and exceptional young talent from across the Southland. The production shines with magnificent colorful sets and dazzling costumes by award-winning designers Simon Pastukh and Galina Solovyeva,

All 13 performances will take place at the intimate Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine, CA 92612.

Esteemed Guest Artists and Performance Dates:

Jeraldine Mendoza – Joffrey Ballet
Dylan Gutierrez – Joffrey Ballet

Saturday, December 10, 2022 @ 1:00 pm
Saturday, December 10, 2022 @ 6:00 pm
Sunday, December 11, 2022 @ 1:00 pm
Sunday, December 11, 2022 @ 6:00 pm

Maria Kochetkova – Former San Francisco Ballet
Connor Walsh – Houston Ballet

Saturday, December 17, 2022 @ 1:00 pm
Saturday, December 17, 2022 @ 6:00 pm
Sunday, December 18, 2022 @ 1:00 pm
Sunday, December 18, 2022 @ 6:00 pm

Lauren Lovette – Former New York City Ballet
Constantine Allen – Dutch National Ballet

Tuesday, December 20, 2022 @ 6:00 pm
Wednesday, December 21, 2022 @ 6:00 pm
Thursday, December 22, 2022 @ 6:00 pm
Friday, December 23, 2022 @ 6:00 pm
Saturday, December 24, 2022 @ 11:00 am

Please note: Guest artists subject to change

Tickets

$45 – $70

Tickets can be purchased at www.thebarclay.org/ or by calling 949.854.4646.

The Nutcracker is approximately two hours in length, including one intermission.

For more information, please visit: https://www.festivalballet.org/productions-2022/the-nutcracker-2022/.

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 White House Catering and includes delicious finger sandwiches, sweet treats, tea and lemonade. Photo opportunities and a party favor are included for each guest.

To purchase tickets, please select the “with Tea” option in the dropdown menu on your seat choice during the ordering process.

Nutcracker Tea Parties take place in the Barclay’s exclusive Jade Room one hour before the performance.

Nutcracker Tea Parties take place one hour before the performance on the following dates and times:

Saturday, December 10, 2022 at 12:00 pm
Saturday, December 10, 2022 at 5:00 pm
Sunday, December 11, 2022 at 12:00 pm
Saturday, December 17, 2022 at 12:00 pm
Saturday, December 17, 2022 at 5:00 pm
Sunday, December 18, 2022 at 12:00 pm
Sunday, December 18, 2022 at 5:00 pm
Tuesday, December 20, 2022 at 5:00 pm
Wednesday, December 21, 2022 at 5:00 pm
Thursday, December 22, 2022 at 5:00 pm
Friday, December 23, 2022 at 5:00 pm
Saturday, December 24, 2022 at 10:00 am

Tickets 

Adults & Seniors:  $40
Children Under 21:  $30

Contact the Barclay Box Office directly at 949.854.4646 or tickets@thebarclay.org for assistance.

For Calendar Section

The Nutcracker

Who:      Festival Ballet Theatre

What:    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 and waltzing flowers take them on a magical journey to mystical lands, This critically acclaimed production features international ballet stars and a cast of hundreds.

When:   

Saturday, December 10 at 1:00 pm; 6:00 pm
Sunday, December 11 at 1:00 pm; 6:00 pm
Saturday, December 17 at 1:00 pm; 6:00 pm
Sunday, December 18 at 1:00 pm; 6:00 pm
Tuesday, December 20 at 6:00 pm
Wednesday, December 21 at 6:00 pm
Thursday, December 22 at 6:00 pm
Friday, December 23 at 6:00 pm
Saturday, December 24 at 11:00 am

Where:   Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine, CA 92612

Tickets: The Nutcracker Ballet:  $45 – $70

Nutcracker Tea Party:  $30 – $40 (held one hour before performances and must be purchased in        addition to The Nutcracker Ballet tickets)

Tickets can be purchased at www.thebarclay.org/ or by calling 949.854.4646.

Group ticket sales are also available.

Related Calendar Section Events

Narrated Nutcracker for Children & Families

Who:      Festival Ballet Theatre

What:    Festival Ballet Theatre’s lavish 45-minute, narrated rendition of The Nutcracker is specially designed to introduce young children to the beauty of classical ballet and music.

Celebrate the season with our heroine Clara, her Nutcracker, the Mouse King and the Sugar Plum Fairy, as they take you on a magical journey to the mystical Kingdom of Sweets.

When:

Saturday, December 3 at 3:00 pm; 5:00 pm
Sunday, December 4 at 1:00 pm; 3:00 pm

Where:   Huntington Beach Central Library Theatre, 7111 Talbert Avenue, Huntington Beach, CA 92648

Tickets:  Narrated Nutcracker for Children & Families:  $10

Tickets can be purchased at https://www.festivalballet.org/productions-2022/narrated-nutcracker-for-children/ or by calling 714.309.1280.

Nutcracker Outreach Events

Who:    Festival Ballet Theatre

What:   Festival Ballet Theatre will be collaborating to present community Nutcracker holiday performances with the following organizations:

• Pacific Symphony Orchestra
• Dawson Cole, Laguna Beach Boys & Girls Club
• Pacific City

When:  Throughout December

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.