The Classic Nutcracker at The O'Shaughnessy

Ballet Minnesota celebrates the holiday season with their 34th presentation of

The Classic Nutcracker at The O’Shaughnessy, featuring a cast of more than 100 including two highly lauded guest dancers from the prestigious American Ballet Theatre. Soloist Zhong-Jing Fang and corp member Jose Sebastian of ABT will dance the pas de deux in the signature roles of Sugar Plum Fairy and the Cavalier.  The performances take place on the campus of St. Catherine University, 2004 Randolph Ave., Saint Paul, Dec. 16-18, 2022.  Ticket prices range from $19 to $45 with discounts for seniors, students, active military and groups.  To purchase tickets, visit https://oshag.stkate.edu/events/category/series/ballet-minnesotas-classic-nutcracker/ or

call The O’Shaughnessy box office at 651-690-6700. In addition, a livestream of a performance at 10 a.m.

Thursday, Dec. 15, will be offered to groups in the wider community in order to provide the ballet experience to those who might not otherwise be able to attend a performance. For information on the livestream, email  balletmngrouptickets@gmail.com.

Featured Soloists from American Ballet Theatre

Born in Shanghai, China, Zhong-Jing Fang joined ABT as an apprentice in 2003, and has been a soloist with the company since 2018. She received her early training at the Shanghai Ballet School where she trained for seven years, and holds a degree in ballet from the Performing Arts College of Shanghai Drama University. Jose Sebastian, a native of New York City, has been a member of ABT’s corps de ballet since 2010. He started his dance training at age 8 with the School of American Ballet. In 2020, Sebastian was appointed director of ABT Incubator, ABT’s choreographic workshop program for inspiring the creation of new work. Hailed as America’s preeminent dance company, ABT is known for their overall excellence and roster of present and past ballet stars including Misty Copeland, Cynthia Gregory, Alexei Ratmansky and Mikhail Baryshnikov.

The Classic Nutcracker Production and Story

A cast of more than 100 dancers round out The Classic Nutcracker cast, including Ballet Minnesota company veterans and apprentices and a host of student roles ranging from the starring turn of Clara to the youngest dancers as scampering mice and winged angels who seem to float on and off the stage. Enchanted sets further the magic with an adrenaline-filled battle, a fire-breathing dragon, lollipop swings appearing along with Madame Ginger, and gentle snow falling on the corps de ballet at the close of Act I.

For novices to the holiday ballet, the story begins on Christmas Eve. We join a young girl, Clara, her mischievous brother, Fritz, and their family hosting a Christmas party. A latecomer to the party is Clara’s mysterious Godfather Drosselmeyer. He presents her with a marvelous gift, a Nutcracker doll. As Clara goes to sleep that night, we are transported into her dream of the Rat King fighting the Nutcracker and his army of toy soldiers.  The Nutcracker Prince escorts Clara through an enchanted snow-covered forest and on to his Kingdom of the Sweets where Clara accepts the throne from the Sugar Plum Fairy.

Ballet Minnesota and Classical Ballet Academy Background

Husband and wife team, Andrew and Cheryl Rist, are at the helm of Classical Ballet Academy, founded in 1987, and Ballet Minnesota, which they co-founded in 1990. Andrew Rist serves as Ballet Minnesota’s artistic director and Cheryl Rist serves as Ballet Minnesota’s Regisseur, costume designer and director of Classical Ballet Academy, the company’s official school for dancers ages 4 to 18.    To view Ballet Minnesota’s performance history, visit www.balletminnesota.org.

Shows and Ticket Information

Purchase your tickets now by calling The O’Shaughnessy box office at 651-690-6700. Ask about group rates!  Order online at https://oshag.stkate.edu/events/category/series/ballet-minnesotas-classic-nutcracker/.

Public Performances:

Friday, December 16, 7 p.m.

Saturday, December 17, 2 p.m.

Sunday, December 18, 2 p.m.

Tickets: $19-$45; special group rates are available.

For live streaming and student group ticket information, email balletmngrouptickets@gmail.com.