Storm Large is living proof that it’s never too late to go after your dreams. With her soothing voice and edgy style, the performer sings covers of classic hits as well as originals. In the ’90s, Large sang in nightclubs in San Francisco. As she continued her singing career in the 2000s, she performed in Portland Center Stage’s production of Cabaret and with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. She’s had plenty more gigs since then, but fans might remember her iconic performances on America’s Got Talent in 2021. She auditioned with one of her favorite hits “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” where the judges gave her a standing ovation.

Now the singer is making her way over to Irvine Barclay Theater where she’ll bring her sultry energy to the stage. She’s excited to come to Irvine since residents can partake in something mature. “The Barclay audience is a mature, cultured gang of art lovers and I love performing for them,” Large said. “Mostly because they aren’t freaked out by my occasional F-bomb.”

Photo by Laura Domela

Large was 51 when she auditioned for America’s Got Talent. During her singing career, there were bullies who attempted to rip her dreams apart, which affected her a lot. As difficult as it was to ignore the haters, it was Large’s passion that kept her striving to the top. “When people doubted me, rejected me, criticized and tried to tear me down, I took it all to heart. And since I’ve become more visible, viable and successful, the haters have switched from ‘You suck’ to ‘You sold out and you suck.’ All that used to really hurt. But at the end of the day, I get to do what I love…I’m also in my 50s now. And boy, I really don’t have the energy I used to have for giving a s*it about all that.”

The performer pointed out how there are standards for women in the entertainment industry having to look a certain way to make it big. Even though Large has a wide following and continues to gain more exposure, being her own person is what helps her become the artist she wants to be instead of what the industry wants her to be. “Part of my longevity I think is credited to never really having been super famous. Women especially are so societally pressured to meet certain physical, marital and aesthetic standards as a marker for success. Despite my 30 years in this business, having been on television, in movies, Carnegie Hall, Oprah’s Book of the Week, and oodles of naked pictures from various modeling gigs out on the interwebs, I am not super famous. That grants me the freedom to be as creative as I like in any discipline.”

Large is no stranger to her naughty side in her performances. So fans can expect her to make her Irvine show sexy and fun. “You can expect some hope, some heartache, a few F-bombs and me in a beautiful boob squeezing dress.”

As we come back to live theater after the pandemic, Large is ready to make magic happen in Irvine. “Thank you all for coming back out to sit in the dark together where I can sing, howl, and shimmy at you all, and once again, do my damndest to make you happy again. I’ve missed you terribly. Let’s do this.”

Large will be performing at Irvine Barclay Theater on Saturday, Feb. 26th at 8 p.m.

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Irvine is getting in touch with its holiday roots with the classic ballet The Nutcracker. Currently playing at Irvine Barclay Theatre, audiences can see live performances from now all the way till December 24. Irvine fans will be drawn in with Tchaikovsky’s score as they see the Sugar Plum Fairy, Clara and multiple characters on breathtaking adventures. 

The Nutcracker takes on the story of Clara who befriends a Nutcracker that comes to life on Christmas Eve. He takes her on a whimsical adventure while fighting the evil Mouse King and befriending new characters along the way. Some of the most well-known numbers include “Waltz of the Flowers,” “Trepak” and “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.” Artistically directed by Festival Ballet Theatre’s Salwa Rizkalla, this production features professional company dancers. 

Aimee Cho, starring as Clara, explained in an exclusive interview with Irvine Weekly that The Nutcracker has always been special to her ever since the first time she watched it at Segerstrom Center for the Arts. “I was just so inspired by all the amazing dancers and the production in general. Watching it really put me in the Christmas spirit and made me excited to do The Nutcracker, myself.”

Cho said that while this production of The Nutcracker will take on its traditional roots, there will also be some added flair. Cho also said that she loves playing Clara because of her character’s involvement throughout the show. “Growing up, I would love to watch all of the pieces on the sides, but being able to share the stage with all the amazing dancers just brings joy to me. Getting the opportunity to perform Clara this year is such a blessing. I am excited to share my love for Christmas to others through what I love to do every day.”

Festival Ballet Theatre Performs The Nutcracker at Irvine Barclay Theatre (Photo Credit Skye Schmidt)

From a young age, Cho had begged her parents to put her in a dance class. She started at the age of seven and has remained a dancer ever since. Now, she continues to follow her passion in one of the most beloved stories ever told. 

“Nutcracker season is my favorite time during the whole year,” Cho tells us. “Being in the theater and doing what I love for others always brings a smile to me. I love to perform. Performing for a live audience makes me feel alive and I am always at my happiest when I am dancing the Nutcracker at the Barclay!” 

Jerry Mandel, president of the Barclay, also said that he’s humbled to bring The Nutcracker to the theatre after two years away from the stage. 

“This annual set of performances is one of the best illustrations of the Barclay’s reason for being: bringing the community together,” Mandel says. “We treasure our longstanding partnership with Festival Ballet Theatre’s Artistic Director Salwa Rizkalla, her company, and her talented guest dancers. For nearly 15 years we have been pleased to help celebrate generations of young dancers from Orange County and their families who together make The Nutcracker at the Barclay not just a holiday classic, but a beloved community tradition.”

Audience members over the age of 12 must show proof of vaccination status or a negative Covid test to attend. Masks will also be required at all times inside the Barclay. Children from 3-12 may attend, but must wear masks at all times.

Tickets for The Nutcracker can be purchased at thebarclay.org, by calling the box office at 949-854-4646 or by email at tickets@thebarclay.org.

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Trio Barclay returns to Irvine for another musical experience for the community. Three musicians are set for a dynamic and exciting performance at Irvine Barclay Theater on Sunday, November 21 at 5 p.m. The trio consists of Dennis Kim on violin, Jonah Kim on cello and Sean Kennard on piano. This will be their second performance at Barclay after making their debut last June.

The ensemble will play different hits, including a world premiere by composer Mark Abel, Cafe Music by Paul Schoenfield and the B Major Trio of Johannes Brahms. They’re known for playing music as far back as the 18th century all the way to the present day. In an exclusive interview, Dennis Kim said that the trio wanted to focus on living composers. He was also surprised by how easily they were able to perform again at Barclay. “When we initially decided to partner with the Barclay Theater, we were amazed at the flexibility and the management’s complete trust in our artistic vision. Musicians are used to hearing the word ‘no’ a lot. The management of Barclay saying ‘whatever the question, the answer is yes’ was a dream come true for our ensemble.”

Dennis Kim (Photo by Karen Drews)

The Trio Barclay started during the pandemic and each member worked on their own individually. Despite the fear of how long the pandemic would last, Kim was hopeful that the experts would figure it out so live performances would happen again. “I always believed in the world’s scientists, doctors, and leaders to find a way to come back from this horrible pandemic. Initially, I thought we would find a solution right away, then I felt like it would take much longer, and ultimately, it was somewhere in the middle. I am grateful that we are back to performing!”

Kim also pointed out how this pandemic has changed live performances in general. Now that performers are gradually making their way back to what they love, Kim feels like they’re seeing everything in a whole new light.

“I think many musicians took performing for granted. After such a long period when we couldn’t perform, I believe all musicians have a new appreciation for everything. Musicians are grateful for audiences, for donors, for management, and nothing is taken for granted anymore,” Kim says. “What I’ve realized during the pandemic is that there is nothing quite like live music. There is no technology that can replace the feeling of hearing live music in a hall. I truly believe musicians and artists are essential workers, and as essential workers, doing our job well is extremely important.”

The violinist is especially glad to perform in Irvine since he believes the city to be one of the best in the world. “The best restaurants, the best schools, and an underrated number of things to do. There are some real gems in Irvine that the rest of the state and country have yet to fully appreciate, including Irvine Barclay Theatre. It’s a unique and intimate venue that offers a great experience for enjoying live music.”

As the trio makes its way back to Barclay in this new performance, Kim is hoping audiences will experience a jolt of energy as they watch the musicians perform. “Hopefully our passion and energy will be felt by everyone in the hall, and it will translate to a memorable evening for everyone. We hope we can influence young people and we hope that the young at heart will go home with a smile on their face.”

For more details, check out thebarclay.org.

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Live theater is making its way back to Orange County. The iconic rock musical Jesus Christ Superstar is playing at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa from November 9-14 for the show’s 50th anniversary tour.

Seen through the eyes of Judas, this musical takes on events in the life of Jesus Christ during his final weeks of life. Classic hits from the show include “I Don’t Know How to Love Him,” “Gethsemane” and “Superstar.”

The show stars Aaron LaVigne as Jesus, James T. Justis as Judas and Jenna Rubaii as Mary.

In an exclusive interview, Brittany Hammond – ensemble cast member and dance teacher at South Coast Performing Arts in Tustin – said that it feels “surreal” returning to performing arts in the eye of the post-pandemic. “It feels like you’re reliving a memory but in the present. Or you’re in a dream but it’s real life! Because it was something we did every day for six months, it kind of popped back into place, but at the same time we took a  year-and-a-half off and a lot has happened in that space. Though theatre looks different now – a masked audience and crew, testing multiple times a week plus new protocols – it’s thrilling to be back.”

Now that live theater is gradually returning, Hammond is hoping that the arts will change for the better. “I hope theatre moves forward and we find a new normal because during 2020 there were a lot of important discussions being had as to what we wanted Broadway to look like moving forward and we are still having those conversations today. There is a lot of work to do, but also a lot of great work has been done in recent months.”

Photo by Matthew Murphy

According to Hammond, this version of Jesus Christ Superstar will be similar to listening to the album, but audiences will see it on the stage without a literal narrative. “It’s what you may see in your mind as you listen to the original record which was never intended to be a stage play when it was composed.” There also won’t be an intermission in this version so fans will get a true album experience from watching this production. “The design of our show is very avante garde and incredibly beautiful, and I can’t wait for superfans to experience it!”

This tour also features Alvin Crawford as Caiphas, Tommy Sherlock as Pilate, and Tyce Green as Annas. Christian A. Guerrero joins as standby for Jesus and Judas. The rest of the ensemble includes David Andre, Sara Andreas, Courtney Arango, Wesley J. Barnes, Milena J. Comeau, Lydia Ruth Dawson, Derek Ferguson, Brian Golub, Garfield Hammonds, Quiana Holmes, Darrell T. Joe, Sheila Jones, Jacob Lacopo, Paul Louis Lessard, Eric A. Lewis, Tommy McDowell, Danny McHugh, Jenny Mollet, Sarah Parker, Erick Patrick, SandyRedd, Cooper Stanton and Chelsea Williams.

The creative team includes Timothy Sheader as director, Drew McOnie as choreographer, Tom Deering and David Holcenberg as music supervisors, Keith Caggiano and Nick Lidster for sound design, Lee Curran for lighting design and Tony Award nominee Tom Scutt for costume design.

Single tickets for Jesus Christ Superstar start at $28 and are now available online at SCFTA.org, at the Box office at 600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa, or by calling (714) 556-27872,  for inquiries about group ticket discounts for 10 or more, call the Group Services offices at (714)755-0236.

Masks are required at all times for all patrons and visitors regardless of vaccination status in all indoor spaces at Segerstrom Center.

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Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth has returned to the stage. She will be performing at Segerstrom Center for the Arts on Saturday, October 23rd at 7:30 p.m. where she’ll sing from her most recent album, “For the Girls.”

This album is a celebration of female singers throughout history, including Jennifer Hudson, Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire. Songs on the album include Chenoweth’s unique interpretations of classic hits such as “The Way We Were,” “Desperado” and “When I Fall In Love.” In an exclusive interview, Chenoweth said it’s impossible to decide which song from the album is her favorite.

The singer also mentioned that she’s looking forward to performing at Segerstrom, especially post-Covid. “I didn’t really get to tour for the Girls album,” she said. “I had one week on Broadway to success and then a couple shows and then pandemic. So I’m finally getting back out there with my background singers and our band to really rock it out. We have choreography and some fun music planned.”

Kristin Chenoweth (By Gian Andrea di Stefano)

Fans know Chenoweth for her career span in musical theater, film, voicework and television. She currently appears in “Schmigadoon!” on Apple TV+ and the dark comedy “The Bystanders’” on the Bleav Podcast Network. One of her most memorable performances is playing Glinda in the musical “Wicked” in 2003. She mentioned that returning to the stage after more than a year of a pandemic is like “water in a desert.” During the isolation, she felt scared not knowing if performing opportunities would be available again. Now that live theater is coming back, she has high hopes for the future of performing arts. “I think it will eventually evolve into what it always was, which is about the work – doing the work and process and technique. We’re going to have to pick up where we left off and go for it.”

Chenoweth, who’s an Emmy and Tony Award winner, said it’s important for aspiring actors to stay focused as live theater returns even if it feels difficult. “Find a way to motivate yourself because this is hard. But when you are motivated and you’re working at it, there’s nothing more pleasing.”

When she makes her way to the stage at Segerstrom, Chenoweth is hoping that audience members can join her so everyone can make magic together. “[The audience will] get to see me in what I love to do more than anything and take away some happiness and joy from the night.”

Single tickets for Kristin Chenoweth at Segerstrom Center for the Arts start at $59 and are available online at SCFTA.org. Tickets can also be purchased at the Box Office at 600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa or by calling 714-556-2787.

Segerstrom’s Covid-19 policy requires ticket holders to provide proof of full vaccination to attend all indoor performances and events. Audience members must bring proof of vaccination, either a physical vaccination card, a picture of a vaccination card, or a digital vaccination record. Most California resides have the option for a digital record at myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov. Anyone under 12 or without proof of being fully vaccinated must provide proof of a negative Covid-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours before entering the theater.

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Enrollment is open for Segerstrom Center for the Arts’ Five Days of Broadway’s musical theater camp. Students will learn different topics about musical theater, including acting, dance, musical theater, improv, puppetry, scene writing and acting on film. The camp is open to all experiences and will take place online.

Middle School Week is June 22-26. High School Week will take place June 29-July 3. Both sessions are $475/camper.

(Courtesy of Segerstrom Center)

Most of the faculty members are professional musical theater artists, including Chandra Lee Schwartz (Wicked, High School Musical and Hairspray) and Hector Guerrero (Evita, 42^nd Street and West Side Story).

In an exclusive interview, Schwartz explained that when the pandemic happened, she didn’t question backing out of this camp. She knew this was something that had to continue – as they say in theater, “the show must go on.”

“The arts are so important to children, and I don’t want them to miss out,” Schwartz said. “We simply regrouped to make sure the camp would be an online success.”

Schwartz has been teaching acting and musical theater to children for more than seven years. She plans to cover basic parts of acting in the camp: fundamentals of picking and approaching material, acting intentions, objectives, musical games, online video auditioning and more. Teaching online is a new strategy for her and she plans to learn what each student needs for a fulfilling experience.

“I am very proud to be working with the Segerstrom Center on this project,” she said. “It has been a pleasure to partake in their positive and energetic approach to curating an online camp. It will be informative, fun and stimulating for students.”

Talena Mara, Vice President of Education at Segerstrom, said this camp can help students feel motivated and inspired, especially in the middle of a global pandemic.

(Courtesy of Segerstrom Center)

“This is a perfect time to learn new music, find new monologues, practice or choreograph your own dance moves, act out a scene in front of a mirror, write your own new play, or read about a show or play you have never read before,” Mara said. “There are so many ways to make the arts part of your daily life and now is a perfect time and opportunity to begin making creativity part of everyday life.”

Even though the camp is online, Mara assures that every student will receive the same knowledge and education in musical theater as they would in person.

“With planning and with some extremely talented teachers involved, we know students will learn so much and still have a great time. Of course, it will be slightly different participating in a digital camp, but it will still be valuable and super fun in ways that you can only get in the digital world!”

Mara also mentioned that anyone who would like to join the camp, but needs financial support, there are scholarships available. Anyone who is interested can find more information by writing to classes@scfta.org.

Registration for Five Days of Broadway is a first-come first-serve basis. Information on classes and how to sign up can be found at https://www.scfta.org/fivedays.

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One of Broadway’s most timeless musicals is playing at Musical Theatre Village in Irvine. The Drowsy Chaperone opened on Valentine’s Day and runs until March 15.

The Drowsy Chaperone takes on the story of “The Man in Chair” who listens to a fictional musical comedy called The Drowsy Chaperone. He then finds himself transported into this musical where he sees characters with their own comical storylines. The show is known for its unique tap numbers and iconic songs “Show Off,” “Toledo Surprise” and “I Remember Love.”

Director Josh Teincuff said in an exclusive interview that he’s a fan of the show-within-a-show because of how it makes fun of itself while giving a glitzy piece of entertainment. “The show does an incredible job of shining light on the absurdity of musical theater while also celebrating it,” he said. “I don’t think any other show manages this while also maintaining a fun enjoyable show for musical theater novices as well. You don’t need to love theatre to enjoy this show, but for those that do, this show gives you almost a few bonus laughs.”

Drowsy (Courtesy of Musical Theatre Village)

A show that requires different kinds of talent comes with challenges, but Teincuff said the cast worked hard to put on something memorable. “[The cast] took on this monstrous project head-on and took it upon themselves to put the work in and make this show what it was,” he said. “I think my vision definitely changed during the process and in a good way the many actors in the show brought new ideas and perspectives to this that I could never have dreamed of.”

Rebecca Leeds, who plays the “Woman in Chair” is one of four actors (David Teincuff, Andres Plett and Lanette Gutman) sharing this role. She said that with both men and women sharing the role, everyone has his or her own special way of bringing the character to life. “I think we have each approached the role holistically and, as a result, we have created four completely different characters regardless of gender,” Leeds said. “We have each made it our own.”

Drowsy (Courtesy of Musical Theatre Village)

Leeds saw this production for the first time at the Ahmanson Theater more than a decade ago. Now that she’s in the show, it provides a much different perspective from what she saw the first time. “On the one hand, the show is one big theatre ‘in-joke.’ But, on the other hand, it really shows the power and magic that musical theater can have as a form of escape.”

Choreographer Lucy Riedling said she and her dance assistants Makenna Olsen and Patrick Murphy wanted to keep this show traditional while adding their own creations. After listening to the music, they decided to keep it as a “fun prohibition-era, Gene Kelly-esque style.” One particular dance number that stands out for Riedling is “Fancy Dress” because it’s the first time audiences get to know the characters. “I left a lot of room for the actors to make personal choices for their specific characters,” she said. “Each actor made some different choices with the foundational movements I gave them, and wow, did it look fun to be up there!”

Riedling also said that audiences are bound to enjoy a show like this no matter how many times they see it. This particular production has actors who brought their own flair to their roles and their director helped bring the characters to life. “[Josh] has worked with all of the main characters to understand their unique motivations and this really shines through in their performance. This production also aimed to keep honesty as a central tenet. The Man in Chair is grappling with some very human dilemmas: time passing, human interaction and failed expectation. For this reason, this multifaceted show becomes richer and richer with each minute.”

The Drowsy Chaperone plays at Musical Theatre Village on Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m.

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Kevin Kwan, known for writing the popular novel Crazy Rich Asians, will take the stage at Irvine Barclay Theatre on Thursday, February 6. Kwan will discuss a variety of topics, including the expansion of diversity in different industries, the cultural impact of his novels and how he chooses his creativity. 

The discussion is part of the theater’s Fresh Take Speaker Series, which features a variety of speakers, authors and thought leaders sharing their work. Kwan’s novel became a cultural phenomenon, topping best-seller lists worldwide and continuing with two sequels and a hit movie. The story revolves around three rich Chinese families and the hysterical drama that follows.

Kevin Kwan (Jami Tarris)

In 2018, Kwan spoke to NPR about growing up in Singapore and his own family’s wealth. While his life wasn’t quite the same as the story in his book, he still feels like he was born into something similar. “By comparison, I think I led a privileged, lucky life but it wasn’t as extreme as what would be depicted in the movies. It’s something that’s extremely hard to articulate. I think you’ve been trained almost from birth that this is something to never be talked about,” Kwan said.

The film Crazy Rich Asians earned two Golden Globe nominations for Best Motion Picture — Comedy or Musical and Best Performance by an Actress in a Comedy or Musical (Constance Wu). Despite the film’s praise from the entertainment industry, it still received some backlash for casting Henry Golding as Nick Young because the actor is half-Asian and half-Caucasion. Kwan was aware that people would be dissatisfied with this choice especially with discussions about people from other cultures being underrepresented in America. “People are so invested in every aspect of this being perfect and being right. Unfortunately, this movie cannot be everything for everyone,” Kwan said. “And I see and I feel the pain and I completely understand the arguments that people were trying to make, but it’s ironic that these people are demanding sort of blood purity in a way — that if he’s not 100 percent Chinese, he’s not qualified to play the role of Nicholas Young — when really Nicholas Young himself as the character isn’t 100 percent Chinese.”

The film made cinematic history as the first romantic comedy from a major Hollywood studio to star two Asian actors. It was also the first Hollywood studio film in 26 years to have an all-Asian cast.

Kwan’s discussion at Irvine Barclay Theater will begin at 8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased on the Barclay.org for $48-$110.

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Fans might remember Brian Malarkey as one of the finalists on the third season of Top Chef. He’s been an active cook for a majority of his life, with restaurants across the country in Austin, Las Vegas, Hawaii and San Diego. Now Malarkey has opened Herb & Ranch at the University of California Irvine. Open to the public, residents can try some quality dishes, from avocado toast and herb-roasted chicken breast to hot and cold sandwiches and freshly made poke bowls.

In an exclusive interview with Irvine Weekly, Malarkey explained that he wanted to open a new eatery in Orange County to give everyone the chance to try out some great variety. “One day you can have a poke bowl, one day you can have the press sandwich or something off the grill, or the incredible salad. And it’s done to be really quick and really healthy and affordable, so just so many high points,” he said. “There’s always a special, you can get in there really quick and get out fast and feel good.”

Brian Malarkey (Dustin Bailey)

Originally from Oregon, Malarkey has been living in San Diego for the past 15 years. He became well known for opening a number of restaurants in Southern California, including the award-winning Herb & Wood, named as one of the country’s “10 Best Restaurants” by USA Today. Now that Herb & Ranch is open, Malarkey is grateful to be part of a new project that offers so many options to the public. “People have a lot more expectations in Southern California I think than most places in the country — or maybe the world — as far as health options, gluten [and] allergies,” Malarkey said. “So the idea of this place is it’s very far-reaching for so many different people based on what they’re looking for that day. I think this is a revolutionary concept in all honesty.”

Herb and Ranch’s interior (Dustin Bailey)

Herb & Ranch has an indoor and outdoor setting, and a grassy area for guests to enjoy their time outside. Malarkey said Herb & Ranch is all about both quality and quantity to give a memorable experience that will keep everyone coming back.

“It’s the best deal in town,” he said. “[It’s the] freshest quality and the design is over the top; it’s beautiful. Irvine really stepped it up for the customers and it’s fantastic and I hope you get the opportunity to come check it out.”

Herb & Ranch, 5301 California Ave., Irvine; Mon.-Fri., 6:30 a.m.-4 p.m.; (949) 316-4491, herbandranch.com.

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Irvine Barclay Theater will spread Christmas cheer when one of the most iconic holiday stories comes on stage this December. Festival Ballet Theatre’s production of The Nutcracker will have all traditional musical numbers and enchanting holiday magic at Irvine Barclay Theater. Originally written by composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, The Nutcracker tells the story of Clara, a young girl celebrating Christmas Eve when she receives a strange gift — a nutcracker. As the night continues, the nutcracker comes to life and takes Clara into a world of magic and adventure. 

Audience members will experience memorable moments from the ballet, including the “Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy” and the “Waltz of the Snowflakes.” FBT’s production is set to Tchaikovsky’s renowned score and features colorful sets and dazzling costumes by award-winning designers Simon Pastukh and Galina Solovyeva. The story has been delighting audiences and critics in Orange County for more than 30 years. Marketing director and former FBT ballerina Erin Nash said this show will be everything that Irvine residents are looking for. “Nothing captures the magic and warmth of the holidays like The Nutcracker. I personally love to see the wonder in the eyes of our audience. It’s no wonder The Nutcracker has become a staple for so many in their holiday traditions.”

Nutcracker (Courtesy of Festival Ballet Theatre)

Nash added, “FBTs breathtaking production of The Nutcracker makes this age-old holiday tradition sparkle like new. Audiences will be swept away as Clara, the Sugar Plum Fairy, dancing toys, mischievous mice, sparkling snowflakes, waltzing flowers, and a cast of hundreds take them on a magical journey to mystical lands. If you’re looking for the timeless, traditional tale of the Nutcracker — look no further. FBT’s version will not disappoint.”

Directed and choreographed by Salwa Rizkalla, The Nutcracker will have talents from all across the Southland. In addition to FBT, the production includes talent from the San Francisco Ballet, Joffrey Ballet and Ballet West. The performers include Tara Ghassemieh, Maria Kochetkova, Jeraldine Mendoza and Beckanne Sisk as the Sugar Plum Fairy. Dylan Gutierrez, Vitor Luiz and Chase O’Connell will play the Cavalier.

Nutcracker (Courtesy of Festival Ballet Theatre)

For a truly fulfilling experience, patrons also have the opportunity to attend a pre-show Nutcracker Tea one hour before showtime. Nash described this as “a very special experience, especially for families of young children. Parents are served champagne while children enjoy tea sandwiches, sweet treats, lemonade and tea — and they get to meet and take pictures with Clara and other cast members!”

As a nonprofit organization, FBT relies on philanthropic donations to spread appreciation for art and dance. Nash said the company has been fortunate enough to have a donor this year who will match all donations that FBT receives for up to $10,000. Not only do FBT present unique performances and provide a nurturing experience for the dancers, they also offer educational outreach programs. This includes the Ballet to School program and Children’s Invitation to Ballet.

The Nutcracker opens at Irvine Barclay Theater on December 7 and continues through December 24. For more details, visit thebarclay.org and festivalballet.org.

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