This December, the Oakland Ballet Company will present the premiere of Carlos Carvajal’s Nutcracker at the Paramount Theatre. This performance isn't just the story of the Nutcracker -- it's the story of a show that might have never happened, had it not been for the commitment of many Oakland artists to their community. The end result is that this year's performance will be even bigger, catering to audiences in Oakland as well as San Mateo. 

Oakland Ballet launched its fall season in October with the Jewels of the Bay, a mixed repertoire of some of the Bay Area’s most well-known choreographers, under the guidance of guest artistic directors Michael Lowe and Jenna McClintock. Lowe has danced with the company for 35 years and is an award-winning choreographer. McClintock is a principal dancer with the company.

After October’s production, the company was faced with a dilemma: how to reconcile a gloomy economy with the desire to give the East Bay community the Nutcracker it has looked forward to every year for the last 36 years. For those who know the 44-year-old Oakland Ballet Company, it is a company with spunk and talent. Not to be deterred, Nicole Levine, the company’s executive director, approached Peninsula Ballet about staging a joint production – and a collaboration was born. “We are pleased to bring the Nutcracker to the stage by creatively joining forces of two ballet companies that have been mainstays in the Bay Area,” said Levine.

Carlos Carvajal, a world-renowned choreographer, created his Nutcracker 15 years ago for Peninsula Ballet. Carvajal, a native of San Francisco, is no stranger to the Oakland Ballet either. The company performed Carvajal’s full-length Crystal Slipper in 2003 and the pas de deux from that ballet in its fall production. “I see the Nutcracker as a community production,” Carvajal said. “We engage the participation of parents, students and former active dancers who have their own schools. It adds a richness that complements the professional dancers.”

Carvajal’s Nutcracker is a family-friendly production that portrays Drosselmeyer as a kinder, gentler character than is often depicted. Carvajal will play the role of Drosselmeyer on December 24. Oakland Ballet favorites such as Jenna McClintock, Ikolo Griffin, Gabriel Williams, Amanda McGovern and Ethan White will once again return to the stage. This beloved holiday tradition has a spectacular growing tree, a spirited party, a battle scene between the mice led by their king and toy soldiers led by the Nutcracker, who appears full size and comes to life. Audiences will be captivated by the magical adventures of Clara and her Nutcracker Prince while they journey through dancing snow flurries and the Kingdom of Sweets. Bruce Steivel, artistic director of the Peninsula Ballet, directs this production.

In addition to presenting the Nutcracker again, the Oakland Ballet has created another community tradition, ensuring that ballet is inspiring and accessible to all. The company will once again donate 2,000 tickets to Oakland public schools and give 1,500 tickets to underserved families, thanks to the support of companies like Chevron, Target, Clorox and others.

Michael Morgan will conduct members of the Oakland East Bay Symphony with the beautiful Tchaikovsky score at the Paramount Theatre. This year, the symphony agreed to a salary reduction to help the Oakland Ballet keep its commitment to live music for this holiday favorite.

Oakland Ballet is partnering with the Alameda County Community Food Bank, offering a 20 percent discount per ticket with a donation of a non-perishable food item.  Tickets for this promotion must be purchased at the Paramount box office. The Nutcracker opened in San Mateo on December 12 and will be presented at the Paramount Theatre on December 24, 26 and 27. 

For more on the Oakland Ballet company, please visit oaklandballet.org

WHEN:

Thursday, December 24 at 11 a.m. 

Saturday, December 26 at 2 p.m. *

Saturday, December 26 at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, December 27 at 2 p.m.*

*The Saturday and Sunday matinees will be followed by a Sweet Dreams party, which will feature light refreshments and Nutcracker characters posing for pictures and signing autographs. Separate tickets are required and can be purchased through Ticketmaster.

TICKETS: $15-$50 with student and senior discounts through www.ticketmaster.com  or 1-800-745-3000  

WHERE:

Paramount Theatre, 2025 Broadway 510-465-6400, paramounttheatre.com