Westside Ballet's 35th Annual production of The Nutcracker Ballet showcases the most promising young dancers in Los Angeles and throughout the U.S. Westside School of Ballet was was honored as the best ballet school in Los Angeles, with many of its graduates entering professional companies.

Past productions have included Monique Meunier (New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theater), Anna Liceica (American Ballet Theater), Martine Harley (Houston Ballet), Melissa Barak (New York City Ballet, Los Angeles Ballet), Andrew Veyette (New York City Ballet) and many more.

Special attention to costumes, choreography and characters come from the input of an esteemed faculty at Westside School of Ballet, located in Santa Monica. One such member who works as artistic director for the Nutcracker production is Yvonne Mounsey. During her distinguished career as a performer, she joined New York City Ballet as a principal dancer for George Balanchine. It was there that Mounsey created the role of Center Spanish in Balanchine's original production of The Nutcracker. You'll notice the incredible attention to detail in the Westside Ballet Nutcracker, and like so many who have seen this beloved annual event in years past, you may notice that each year it continues grow and become stronger as one of the finest Southern California ballet performances available.

Based on E.T.A. Hoffman’s, "The Nutcracker and the King of Mice”, not only is the Westside Ballet Nutcracker one of the longest running productions in Los Angeles history, it also is one of the most popular. If you have to select just one Nutcracker ballet to see this year, Westside Ballet production will be among the best.

The Nutcracker will be hosted in two locations this season. It will first appear in Smothers Theatre at Pepperdine University on November 24 at 2 pm and 7:30 pm, and November 25 at 1:30 pm and 5:30 pm. Location: 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA.

Performances resume at the Wadsworth Theatre in Brentwood/Los Angeles on December 8 at 2 pm and 7:30 pm, and December 9 at 1 pm and 5 pm. Wadsorth Theater address: 11301 Wilshire Blvd, Brentwood, CA 90073.

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased through Ticketmaster. www.westsideballet.com.

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