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Where to See The Nutcracker

December 01, 2008

I've always been a little suspicious of anything too girly-girly, but a few months back my daughter said she wanted to take a dancing class, so I signed her up for the pre-ballet class through the Long Beach Parks and Recreation department. I have to admit that at the sight of all those little girls lined up in their tutus, protruding bellies and all, I quickly came around. Besides the cute overload, there are lots of good things about ballet. It's all about fantasy and pretend play. The kids learn how to listen, follow instructions, and take turns. They exercise, stretching and moving their bodies in new ways.

For the past couple of weeks the girls have been practicing a (very) simplified version of the dances from The Nutcracker, to perform for us on the last day of class before the Christmas break. If you have a little girl of a certain age and you want to start a mother-daughter holiday tradition, there are several performances of the Nutcracker happening around Southern California in the weeks leading up till Christmas.

The Anaheim Ballet will perform the Nutcracker on December 6^th at 3:00 and 8:00 P.M. Tickets are $30.00 for adults and $25.00 for children.

You can see The Festival Ballet Theatre's Nutcracker at the Irvine Barclay Theater on Friday, December 12^th through December 24^th. If you don't think your child can sit through the full-length ballet, there is a special show just for kids on December 13^th. Tickets are $38.00 for adults and $33.00 for children.

Catch the Coast City Ballet's performance at the Millikan High School auditiorium on December 20^th at 1:30 and 7:30 P.M. Tickets are $15.00 for children and $17.00 for adults.

The Long Beach Ballet will perform the Nutcracker at the Terrace Theater in Long Beach on on December 20^th and 21^st at 2:00 P.M. and 8:00 P.M. Tickets are $20.00 and up.

Tickets to the performances at Golden West College Theater on December 13^th and 14^th are more affordable, at $15.00 for adults and $13.00 for children.

For an offbeat and uniquely L.A. Nutcracker, check out the show at the Bob Baker Marionette Theater, with shows through next Sunday. Tickets are $10.00 and $15.00, and reservations are required.