City Ballet awakens ‘Dracula,’ while ‘The Nutcracker’ returns for the holidays

Pacific Beach-based City Ballet of San Diego has announced its Season 32 of productions to be performed in San Diego and Escondido. Subscriptions for the season include flexible ballet packages with discount pricing. Season packages and single tickets are available for purchase now.

City Ballet of San Diego, directed by artistic director Steven Wistrich and associate artistic director Ariana Gonzalez, offers a stunning collection of classic and contemporary ballets curated by a diverse set of choreographers examining facets of love and obsession for its Season 32.

“We are excited to present great story-telling ballets this season broadening our reach in both downtown San Diego and North County,” said Steven Wistrich.

In July, the company presented Elizabeth Wistrich’s comedic “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” along with resident choreographer Geoffrey Gonzalez’s premiere of “Summer Wind,” showcasing favorite Frank Sinatra songs. Ballet patrons attending the performances enjoyed a unique ballet experience under the stars at the new Epstein Family Amphitheater on the UC San Diego campus.

The fall program in November, titled “Dracula,” includes the premiere of Geoffrey Gonzalez’s interpretation of Dracula – like you have never seen her before. Gonzalez is a master storyteller through the ballet art form and his new take on an old classic proves to be another not to be missed experience.

“From the darkness, arises a new power. The Countess Dracula has arrived and offers the gift of eternal life. Would you have the strength to say no?” asked Gonzalez.

The program includes the San Diego premiere of “Ecliptic,” a contemporary work created by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, one of the ballet world’s most acclaimed choreographers, and George Balanchine’s romantic ballet “Emeralds,” from the full-length production of “Jewels.”

As the father of American ballet, George Balanchine created this piece representing French elegance. This program will be performed at both the Balboa Theatre downtown and the California Center for the Arts in Escondido.

In December, “The Nutcracker,” which received the Tommy Award for the “Best Nutcracker” in San Diego, is expanded to six performances at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido accompanied by The City Ballet Orchestra with John Nettles conducting. A beloved classic, “The Nutcracker” retells the Victorian-era story of the adventures of Clara, the Nutcracker Prince, Herr Drosselmeyer, and the Sugar Plum Fairy through a magical theatrical experience to Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s famous score.

Young and old alike will be captivated by Elizabeth Wistrich’s choreography, exquisite costumes, and grand sets. A heart-warming production for families to immerse themselves in the holiday spirit.

The March program will feature the beloved classic “Swan Lake, Act II,” the thrilling virtuoso showstopper the “Black Swan Pas de Deux,” plus the world premiere of Elizabeth Wistrich’s “The Seasons,” set to the music of Alexander Glazunov. Performances will be presented at both the Balboa Theatre and the California Center for the Arts in Escondido.

Closing the season in May at the California Center for the Arts, with the City Ballet Orchestra is Elizabeth Wistrich’s “Carmen” based on Bizet’s famous opera set in 1820 Spain – a love story full of jealousy, betrayal, and revenge performed to Georges Bizet’s dramatic score.

Completing the program is George Balanchine’s “Divertimento No. 15,” a grand tutu ballet that showcases his brilliant use of space and movement patterns performed to one of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s greatest works.

This season’s programming includes special productions created to introduce children and their families to the world of ballet. This year’s offerings are “Adventures in Color,” and “Cinderella.” Programming, musical selections, and artists are subject to change without notice.

DRACULA

Saturday, Nov. 9, at 8 p.m. at the Balboa Theatre. Sunday, Nov. 10, at 2 p.m. at the Balboa Theatre. Saturday, Nov. 16, at 8 p.m. at California Center for the Arts in Escondido. World premiere. Music: Frédéric Mozart. Choreography: Geoffrey Gonzalez.

ECLIPTIC

San Diego premiere. Music: Ludovico Einaudi. Choreography: Annabelle Lopez Ochoa. First performed by BalletMet in Columbus, Ohio, Oct. 2019.

EMERALDS

Music: Gavriel Fauŕe. Choreography: George Balanchine. First performed by New York City Ballet at New York State Theater, New York, N.Y., April 1967. Last performed by City Ballet of San Diego in November 2016. City Ballet’s performances of the George Balanchine ballet are licensed by The Geroge Balanchine Trust and the performances of the Annabelle Lopez Ochoa ballet are licensed by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa. Free pre-performance lecture 45 minutes before each performance. Performances at Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave., California Center for the Arts, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido. Tickets: City Ballet’s Box Office 858-272-8663 or at cityballet.org.

THE NUTCRACKER

Accompanied by The City Ballet Orchestra, John Nettles conducting. Friday, Dec. 20, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, at 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 23, at 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 23, at 7:30 p.m. Music: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Costumes: designed by David Heuvel. Choreography: Elizabeth Wistrich after Lev Ivanov, Vassily Vainonen, Rudolph Nureyev, and Willam Christensen.

First performed at the Maryinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia, in December 1892. First performed in the United States by San Francisco Ballet, in December 1944. Elizabeth Wistrich first choreographed the ballet for the American Festival Ballet in 1980, then re-staged it for City Ballet in 1995. It has been performed yearly since then. Awarded the “Best Nutcracker” in San Diego by the San Diego Area Dance Alliance Tommy Awards. Tickets: City Ballet’s Box Office 858-272-8663 or at cityballet.org.

SWAN LAKE, ACT II

Saturday, March 8, at 8 p.m. at Balboa Theatre. Sunday, March 9, at 2 p.m. at Balboa Theatre. Wednesday, March 12, at 8 p.m. at California Center for the Arts, Escondido. Music: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Choreography: Elizabeth Wistrich, after Lev Ivanov. Premiered by the Bolshoi Ballet at the Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow, Russia, January 1895.

“Black Swan Pas de Deux” – Music: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Choreography: Elizabeth Wistrich, after Marius Petipa. Premiered by the Bolshoi Ballet at the Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow, Russia, January 1895.

“The Seasons” (world premiere) – Music: Alexander Glazunov. Choreography: Elizabeth Wistrich. Free pre-concert lecture 45 minutes before the performance. Performances at Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave., California Center for the Arts, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido. Tickets: City Ballet’s Box Office 858-272-8663 or at cityballet.org.

CARMEN

Accompanied by The City Ballet Orchestra, John Nettles conducting. Saturday, May 3, 2025, at 8 p.m. Sunday, May 4, 2025 at 2 p.m. Music: Georges Bizet. Choreography: Elizabeth Wistrich. First performed by USIU International Ballet Company, San Diego, in 1988. Last performed by City Ballet of San Diego at Spreckels Theatre, May 2017.

“Divertimento No. 15” – Music: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Choreography: George Balanchine. First performed by the New York City Ballet at American Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford, Conn. in May 1956. Last performed by City Ballet of San Diego at Spreckels Theatre, May 2007. Free pre-concert lecture 45 minutes before the performance. Performances at the California Center for the Arts, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido. Tickets: City Ballet’s Box Office 858-272-8663 or at cityballet.org.

FAMILY BALLET SHOWS

“Adventures in Color” – Music: Various composers. Choreography: Elizabeth Wistrich. Premiered by City Ballet of San Diego for Classics 4 Kids in 2005. Last performed by the City Ballet of San Diego at Spreckels Theatre in November 2019. Saturday, Nov. 9, at 2 p.m. at Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave.

“Cinderella” (premiere) – Music: Sergei Prokofiev. Choreography: Elizabeth Wistrich. Sunday, May 18, 2025, at 4 p.m. at Joan B Kroc Theatre, 6611 University Ave. Tickets: City Ballet’s Box Office 858-272-8663 or at cityballet.org.