Long Beach Ballet

This was a great production of the Nutcracker! Great costumes! Great sets! Even a real horse and real fireworks! Wow!

It has been ages since I been to the ballet. I remember (vaguely ) the Nutcracker when I was a child, so it was like starting fresh but now I had the pleasure to watch it with my 10 year old daughter and she loved it! From the music, dancing, story line, special effects, it held her spellbound throughout the entire performance. We especially enjoyed the little children performances, we couldn't get over how cute they were in their costumes. This show is guaranteed to warm the coldest hearts this winter, with the Magic of Christmas.

From the props to the orchestra to the venue and the performance\u2014 all of it was beautifully executed. This was my first ballet and I'm so very glad I chose to go to this one. I can't imagine seeing a ballet without a live orchestra. The sound was superb and paired excellently with the dance numbers. Great entertainment! Will definitely be coming back.

This was the first time that I have seen the Nutcracker, but it lived up to my expectations of this beauty play. I knew what the synopsis was, and this play exceeded all expectations. I will definitely make this a holiday tradition.

I have been coming to see the Long Beach Ballet productions for many years. I know they are a school and in fact my kids attended and took classes there. I have been to professional ballet performances in several cities and have seen the ABT and the Bolshoi and they are always amazing. However, if I want pure entertainment, showmanship and joy, I attend a LBT performance. The production value is superior to any of the larger ballet programs, between sets, costumes and special effects. The other intangible is the joy of the actual production, smiles are contagious and enthusiasm is easy to spot, a LBT production provides all the elements and more. LBT's spring performance of Coppelia was fantastic -- this is a ballet many people are not as familiar with but has comedy, great music and this years' production was simply and wonderfully entertaining. The LBT overachieves yet again.

What an awesome show and magnificent orchestra!yay!

Finally getting to see this ballet for the first time. Way much more tha I expected. The young talent, beautiful costuming, glorious orchestra, and special effects were quite spectacular. Mom and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. If you haven t seen this ballet troupe, please take the time to do so!

We've gone every year for the last 5 and very performance is a winner. Great venue, great show. The cast is awesome. Don't mess it!

This performance of The Nutcracker is the best I have seen in years. The costumes were awesome. The performance was top notch. It was funny, entertaining, exciting and down right a joy to watch. Loved it. The Theatre itself is a bit on the old side but it certainly didn't take away from the performance.

I took my 7 year old to see The Nutcracker as her first ballet. I remember going when I was a kid and I remember it being magical, and so grown up getting dressed up and going to the theater and watching incredible people dancing across the stage. The ballerinas did an excellent job, and the production was well done. The atmosphere was comfortable, some people weren t as dressed up and some people were. My daughter, who has long been fascinated by ballet, enjoyed every moment. She was on the edge of her seat. I would recommend this to anyone interested in going. There were other families there also taking their children to see The Nutcracker. It was a great event.

My daughter and I went to see it. It must be one of the best nutcrackers around. The orchestra was wonderful!

Hands down the best Nutcracker performance in CA. Many amazing male principal dancers--which is sometimes overlooked in this type of production. Additionally, fantastic scenery and a little humour is injected as well. We paid $55 for Center orchestra, row six seats. Well worth it!

Took my 7 yr old granddaughter, she was enthralled (me too). Promised to bring her back next year.

This version of the Nutrcracker , which I have only seen once before, was definitely more entertaining and kid-friendly than the other version I took my children to 15 years ago. In their 35th year of this The Long Beach Ballet along with their orchestra made a sight and sound that was extraordinary. There are amateurs on stage, but very good ones. The venue is nice and parking is cheap enough for LBC. If you can do not sit in the top balcony, or the "cheap seats" for there are many children and people who think they are at the movies. I was pleasantly surprised and was one of the few that gave a standing "O". Well worth it and we have discovered a new tradition for our Christmastide.

It Was my daughter an I that went!!! Never been to a perfetional performance of the Nutcracker before.. It was spectacular!!!

This was my second time seeing this production and it was again amazing. It appeals to audiences of all ages and to those who aren't necessarily ballet fans.

1st TIme going to ballet show always want to go since i was a little girl was such a amazing show very good seats love it will be going every year now :)

From the energy of the Chinese male lead to the excitement of the Russian dancers to the brilliant costumes, this Nutcracker ballet kept a novice delighted throughout.

It was whimsical and thrilling! The orchestra was wonderful. The sound system in LB Terrace must be updated since the last time we were there, because a couple years ago it frustratingly missed the vocal nuances of comedian Brian Regan. The most fun we've ever had watching the Nutcracker. It doesn't hurt that we were in the 6th row! Would like to go back every year.

Love love love the Nutcracker!!! This is a family tradition. We have seen about 4 or 5 others around Southern CA but this is the best! We always comeback and were not disappointed once again! Top Nutcracker performance, this side of the Mississippi!!! Happy Holidays

I just went to the ABT's version of The Nutcracker a week before, and enjoyed it, but I felt it lacked the tradition those of us who love The Nutcracker want. Then I took a friend to the Long Beach Ballet's Nutcracker, and IT KNOCKED MY SOCKS OFF! From the dancing to the music, to the stage sets and special effects, this is the BEST! If you love everything about the traditional Nutcracker, you will love this ballet. There wasn't one thing I would change, and we've decided it's our annual tradition to go again next year. The Terrace Theater was beautiful too, all decorated outside with a huge tree and pretty snowflakes. BRAVO, Long Beach Ballet ~ you got the standing ovation you deserved!

It was the best rendition of the Nutcracker that I've ever seen. The dancers performed wonderfully, and the live orchestra was powerful. The special effects added a touch of flair, without taking away from the traditional grace and beauty of the ballet. The venue was perfect, and the seating was comfortable. I honestly cannot think of anything negative about the whole experience. It was the most fun I've had in a long time.

This particular version of the Nutcracker (presented by artistic director, David Wilcox) has been in existence in various forms for over three decades! It s exactly the sort of show you d expect from a deft hand crafting and improving over many years. The production is lavish, well staged, beautifully choreographed, and well cast. Wilcox wisely incorporates modern influences, particularly in pyrotechnics, stagecraft and visual effects, to infuse the traditional ballet. This ain t your father s stodgy Nutcracker. It s perfect for kids, and adults who still dream as kids. Oh... and in 2015, this was the only version of the Nutcracker performed in the L.A. area with a full orchestra. Yes, Tchaikovsky's ballet is astounding when you hear it live coming from 58 instruments (including two harps). I had a great time. I recommend this show completely.

I was very excited to go see this ballet again. Many years ago, my co-worker and I took our young daughters to see it and had a great time. So, this year I decided to treat my adult daughter to see it again. She also invited a friend. We loved it and I think I was more excited then they were. The costumes are so pretty and the performers from the eldest to the youngest did a wonderful job. They only sad portion was cause by a patron who refused to turn off a cell phone, which led to a loud commotion which all of us around knew they could hear on stage. This was a distraction to that young performer's big moment and embarrassing to this patron's young child. I understand that some occupations may require immediate response, so you need your phone,. But remove yourself from the theater and take the call. If you can't seem to detach from the technology, maybe consider not coming,

This was the best performance that I've ever been to. It was full of surprise, talent, amazing choreography, and some humor too! I really can't put a number on how many times I asked myself, "how did they do that?!" The pyrotechnics, acrobatics, live orchestra (the music was spot-on), and other stage effects made a very memorable experience! I've decided to make an appearance to this performance annually from this point on. If you're not in the holiday spirit, this performance will get you there!

Excellent production! A definite treat for the holidays. Lots of "oohs" & "aaahhhs" from the audience with the magic of the music & theatrics of this show. I did a great deal of preparing my 7 year old to see her first ballet. We read the original Nutcracker story, listened to the music, and learned about the history of the Nutcracker ballet. This helped our family a great deal, because there are certain nuances that you catch if you are in the know. If you don't have time for any of that, you should STILL see this show. The dancers are incredible, music is stellar, and the theatrics are top notch. Definitely worth it!

Excellent presentation. Me and my family really enjoyed the show.

Loved it! An amazing performance. The Russian Dance was phenomenal.