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The Nutcracker Ballet
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Celebrate the Season with The
Nutcracker!
This holiday season, Dance! To Your Heart's Delight1
proudly presents its 22nd annual production of the beloved ballet, The Nutcracker, a
timeless tradition that brings the spirit of Christmas to life through music,
movement, and magic.
Join us on December 18-19, 2026 in historic Memorial
Hall at Chapman University for our classical rendition, performed to Tchaikovsky's
iconic score. It's not the holidays without Clara, the
Sugar Plum Fairy, and the unforgettable cast of characters that make this
story a seasonal treasure.
The Story That Dances Through Generations
On Christmas Eve, young Clara receives a mysterious gift from
her eccentric Uncle Drosselmeyer - a wooden Nutcracker. As the evening unfolds
with dancing dolls and festive cheer, Clara drifts into a dream where her
Nutcracker springs to life, leading a thrilling battle against mischievous
mice. Victorious, he transforms into a handsome prince and whisks Clara away
on a magical journey to the Kingdom of Sweets.
There, the Sugar Plum Fairy welcomes Clara with a
dazzling celebration of international dances - Spanish, Arabian, Russian,
Chinese, Mirlitons, and the breathtaking Waltz of the Flowers.
Just as Clara believes she's seen all the beauty the world can offer, the
Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier perform a final, exquisite pas de deux. As
the dream fades, Clara awakens in her home, wondering if the magic was real.
Experience the Wonder
Whether you're a lifelong fan or discovering The Nutcracker for the
first time, this enchanting performance is the perfect way to celebrate the
season. Let the music, costumes, and storytelling sweep you into a world of
holiday magic.
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1 Dance! To Your Heart's Delight, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit
partner of Tustin Dance Center, enriches lives through the performing arts
both within our studio and throughout the greater Tustin community. Proceeds
from our beloved holiday events - including The
Nutcracker, the Sugar Plum Fairy Tea Party, the Nutcracker
Boutique, fundraisers, and generous donations - directly support these
productions. Your contribution helps us present professional‑quality
performances, nurture young dancers, and share the joy of the season with
families across Orange County.
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The
Nutcracker Ballet
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Event Details
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DTYHD's 22nd annual Nutcracker Ballet will be
performed on the following dates at Memorial Hall at Chapman University:
·
Friday, December 18, 2026
o 6:30 pm
·
Saturday, December 19, 2026
o 2:00 pm
o 6:30 pm
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Event Location
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We are excited to stage DTYHD's
Nutcracker performances this year at historic Memorial Hall at Chapman
University.
Built in 1921, this historic landmark is listed in the
National Register of Historic places and features a 900-seat auditorium used
for concerts, ceremonies and performing arts.
In 1961, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke in
Memorial Hall as part of Chapman's popular Artist Lecture Series.
For decades, Memorial Hall was the primary stage for
Chapman's premier annual fundraiser, American Celebration
(now known as the Chapman Gala). This massive Broadway-style
musical revue brought top-tier Hollywood royalty and global icons to the
Memorial Hall stage to be honored with Lifetime Achievement awards. Notable moments include:
·
John Wayne: The
legendary actor was famously honored and presented with an award on stage
here.
· William Friedkin & Sherry Lansing: The Oscar-winning director of The Exorcist
and the former head of Paramount Pictures were celebrated at a massive gala
centered around the hall.
· Elie Wiesel, the
Holocaust survivor, political activist, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate,
served as a Distinguished Presidential Fellow at Chapman and gave profound,
packed-house guest lectures and remembrance presentations in the auditorium.
Other legendary figures from the university's historic guest and artist
lecture series such as author Pearl S. Buck have also taken the stage
here to address students and the public.
Memorial Hall is located near the
Orange Circle in Orange, CA at: 321 N Glassell St, Orange, CA 92866.
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The Nutcracker Ballet Story
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The Nutcracker
Ballet showcases professional dancers in all principal roles,
joined by dozens of Tustin Dance Center's most talented performers
bringing together artistry, energy, and the joy of dancers of all ages.
Set to
Tchaikovsky's iconic score, this enchanting holiday classic follows Clara as
she experiences a Christmas like no other. At a lively family celebration
filled with dancing, magic, and dolls that spring to life, she receives a
mysterious Nutcracker that becomes the key to an unforgettable adventure.
That night, Clara dreams of a daring battle between mice and toy soldiers and
journeys to the shimmering Kingdom of Sweets, where she dances with her
Prince and meets the radiant Sugar Plum Fairy.
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