The “Nutcracker” is a holiday tradition in the Bay Area, with the first American production of the iconic Christmas ballet staged in San Francisco 80 years ago.
This year’s performances were in doubt due to a contract dispute with the ballet company’s dancers. Now that it has been finalized, all parties behind the scenes are excited that the show will go on.
For dancers in the San Francisco Ballet, every step is important. Rehearsing with both precision and passion, soloist Sasha Mukhamedov reflects on the enchantment of the iconic snow scene from “Nutcrackers.”
“It’s a very magical scene, you know? There’s a lot of snow,” Mukhamedov said. “Dancing in it can be stressful if it sticks to your face or mouth. But I think for us, we just keep in mind how magical it is for the audience. So we don’t think about that too much.”
This year the audience almost missed that magic. A five-month fee dispute between the American Guild of Musical Artists and the San Francisco Ballet threatened to disrupt performances. However, last week, to Mukhamedov’s great relief, a provisional agreement was reached.
“Fortunately, we are all very happy that we have reached a truly respectful and preliminary agreement between the company and the dancers,” said Mukhamedov. “Now we can really move on and look forward to enjoying the rest of the season.”
This year’s production is particularly special as it marks the twentieth anniversary of former artistic director Helgi Tomasson’s interpretation of Nutcracker. The production has become a beloved American classic.
Austrian dancer Adrian Zeisel emphasized the unique cultural significance of the Nutcracker in the United States.
“I think Nutcrackerespecially in the US, is a much bigger event for families than, for example, in Europe,” Zeisel said. ‘Especially Helgi’s production. It’s very spectacular to see.”
For rehearsal director and former San Francisco Ballet dancer Katita Waldo, coaching this new generation of dancers is a very satisfying experience.
“I’m excited to now be working on the next generation of dancers having the opportunity to play those roles,” Waldo said. “I can still feel what it feels like to do them when I look at them, and it’s really amazing.”
This season also marks the 80th anniversary of the first production of “Nutcracker” in the United States, which premiered in San Francisco. The Bay Area tradition continues to captivate audiences, combining family, memories and the magic of snow.
“It’s the music, the kids aspect. It’s a very family-friendly performance,” Waldo said. “Christmas time is all about family, memories, the magic of snow.”
As the curtain rises, generations old and new come together to celebrate the timeless enchantment of the holiday ballet. Helgi Tomasson’s Nutcracker is now on stage at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco through December 29.
