Voted "San Diego's Best Nutcracker" by San Diego Dance Alliance Tommy Awards, and described as "a plum of a Nutcracker," by the San Diego Union-Tribune, City Ballet's 21st annual Nutcracker returns to the historic Spreckels Theatre in downtown San Diego. This lavish production is fashioned after the choreography of the great Russian master Lev Ivanov who created the very first Nutcracker more than 100 years ago. Virtuoso dancing is complemented by opulent sets, costumes and Pyotr Tchaikovsky's brilliant score performed live by The City Ballet Orchestra with John Nettles conducting. The cast is made up of professionals from the City Ballet company, with children's roles performed by the top talent from the City Ballet School. This beloved holiday ballet follows young Clara on an exciting Christmas night journey through an enchanted dreamworld, where she encounters the Nutcracker Prince, fights epic battles and travels to the magical kingdom of the Sugar Plum Fairy.