Ballet Arizona presents the holiday classic The Nutcracker with The Phoenix Symphony at Symphony Hall, featuring choreography by Ib Andersen and music by Tchaikovsky.
Ballet Arizona brings The Nutcracker back to Symphony Hall this winter, with the run starting Friday, December 11. It's their annual holiday production, and it's a big one—they're performing it with The Phoenix Symphony playing Tchaikovsky's score live in the hall, rather than using a recording. The choreography is by Ib Andersen, whose Romeo & Juliet is widely considered his best work, and the whole thing runs about two hours, including intermission.
There are a lot of dates to choose from, so you don't have to scramble for a single night. It opens Friday, Dec 11 at 7:30 PM, then runs through Dec 27. The weekends are the busiest: Saturday, Dec 12 has a 2 PM and a 7:30 PM; Sunday, Dec 13 has a 1 PM and a 5:30 PM. The second weekend is similar, with Saturday, Dec 19 at 2 PM and 7:30 PM, and Sunday, Dec 20 at 1 PM and 5:30 PM. There are also weekday options: Thursday, Dec 17 at 7 PM; Friday, Dec 18 at 7:30 PM; Tuesday, Dec 22 at 7:30 PM; Wednesday, Dec 23 at 7:30 PM; and Christmas Eve, Dec 24 at 1 PM. The run closes with Saturday, Dec 26 at 2 PM and 7:30 PM, and Sunday, Dec 27 at 1 PM.
If you're taking kids, there are a couple of things worth knowing. Ballet Arizona offers sensory-adapted performances with an abbreviated Act II, which can be a better fit for younger children or those who get overwhelmed by a full show. Beyond the main stage, the company runs 'Angel Night,' a program of free performances throughout the season that has reached more than 2,200 children and families across Arizona, and 'Performance Chats,' free Q&A sessions with the dancers.
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For those who want to make a day of it, there's a 'Capture the Magic' VIP package for $125 that includes parking. It gets you early lobby entry, a photo with the Sugar Plum Fairy, hot chocolate vouchers, an autographed pointe shoe, a drop-in class voucher, and a discount at the Nutcracker boutique. Otherwise, you've got plenty of dates to pick from across the month.
