Holiday ballet productions of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker have become a Christmas tradition in cities all over the country, but few people know that the San Francisco Ballet was the first American company to stage a complete performance of piece back in 1944. Then director William Christensen obtained a copy of the complete Tchaikovsky score from the Library of Congress and quized former Russian Imperial Ballet members Alexandra Danilova and George Balanchine for details on the staging, costumes and set design.

The beauty of the choreography and the wondrous fantasy of the story captivated critics and audiences alike. The dreamlike tale of toys coming to life continues to entrance children, ballet patrons and everyone else who love the holidays each year. Though the basic story remains the same, artistic director Helgi Tomasson offers up a new vision of the classic that debuted in 2004 with revamped scenery, costumes and a shift in where the action of the ballet is centered. The cast of the Nutcracker is made up of the company's principle dancers, but also features many of the 148 children currently enrolled in the San Francisco Ballet School making their stage debuts in smaller roles.

For six family performances, Nutcracker comes alive in the lobby of the Opera House one hour prior to curtain as costumed characters greet and have their pictures taken with children and families. In addition, the first 500 children to arrive will receive a special gift, while everyone in attendance will enjoy complimentary beverages and sweet treats by Miette (the official bakery of SF Ballet’s Nutcracker) at intermission. For information on the schedule of these added attractions, please visit the SF Ballet's Nutcracker website.

SF Ballet's The Nutcracker
Dec. 7-28 (no performances Dec. 10, 17 and 25), 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. (7 p.m. only Dec. 11-13 and 18-19; 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Dec. 24) $20-$270
War Memorial Opera House