Segerstrom Center and ABT Will Present Co-Annual Productions of THE NUTCRACKER, Beg. Dec 2015

Segerstrom Center for the Arts and American Ballet Theatre will co-present annual productions of Alexei Ratmansky's The Nutcracker beginning December 2015 at Segerstrom Center in Costa Mesa, California. It was announced today by Rachel S. Moore, ABT Chief Executive Officer and Terrence W. Dwyer, Segerstrom Center President. For its West Coast Premiere and inaugural season at the Center, The Nutcracker will be given 14 performances, December 10 through 20, 2015.

American Ballet Theatre's The Nutcracker, choreographed by ABT Artist in Residence Alexei Ratmansky, is set to a score by Peter Ilyitch Tchaikovsky and features scenery and costumes by Richard Hudson and lighting by Jennifer Tipton. The production was given its World Premiere at the Brooklyn Academy of Music's Howard Gilman Opera House on December 23, 2010.

"Our tours to Orange County over the last 28 years have been an important part of ABT's role as America's National Ballet Company," said Moore. "With these annual performances of The Nutcracker, we look forward to solidifying a permanent partnership with Segerstrom Center for the Arts."

Terrence W. Dwyer said, "Segerstrom Center for the Arts is very pleased to continue its relationship with American Ballet Theatre by co-presenting ABT's critically acclaimed production of The Nutcracker. This will be a wonderful addition to the holiday season and, with other collaborative projects, we will be able to expand the Center's reach and connection to dance audiences throughout Southern California."

The engagement of The Nutcracker continues an on-going relationship between Segerstrom Center and ABT. The company has appeared at the Center 23 times, beginning in 1987. At the Center, ABT gave the World Premiere of Mikhail Baryshnikov's Swan Lake in 1988, the West Coast Premiere of Kevin McKenzie's new production of The Sleeping Beauty in 2007 and the World Premiere of a new production of Firebird by Alexei Ratmansky. In 2008, ABT co-commissioned Twyla Tharp's Rabbit and Rogue with Segerstrom Center for the Arts, receiving its World Premiere in New York and West Coast Premiere at the Center. In 1999, the ABT production of Le Corsaire was taped for broadcast on PBS' Dance In America, winning an Emmy Award. In 2003, The Dream was also taped at the Center for broadcast on Dance In America.

For additional information about Segerstrom Center for the Arts, visit www.SCFTA.org. For more information on American Ballet Theatre, visit www.ABT.org.

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