The Nutcracker, Santa Clarita Ballet’s beloved holiday classic is returning to the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center stage this December with three public performances of virtuosic dancing and Tchaikovsky’s memorable score.
This year the ballet’s heroine, “Marie” will be danced by Jenna Lang, a graduating Senior at West Ranch High School. Jenna started as a  Mouse and a Gumdrop in her very first SCB Nutcracker and has participated in every Nutcracker since. She portrayed the Snow Queen in SC Ballet’s 2022 Nutcracker, was a featured soloist in SCB’s June 2023 production of Hänsel and Gretel, and a “Princess” in The Twelve Dancing Princesses. Asked about dancing the coveted role she said, “I remember being a little mouse and looking up to all of the older girls imagining what it would be like to dance those big roles. It’s so special to be in that position now, as Marie, and be able to dance alongside the younger dancers knowing I used to be just like them.” In the spring of 2024 Jenna will take her Royal Academy of Dance Advanced 2 exam, and attend university after graduating.
Alec Talbott will be reprising the role of the “Nutcracker” after his SCB debut in last year’s Nutcracker. In June of 2023 he also danced the role of the Prince in SCB’s production of The Twelve Dancing Princesses. Alec, a native Nebraskan and “triple threat” – singer/actor/dancer (and guitarist) joined the Santa Clarita Ballet Academy faculty this year as a Jazz instructor and has quickly become a student favorite.
The role of the Nutcracker’s nemesis, the “Rat King” will be shared by Sophia Sadaqatmal, a Junior at West Ranch High School; and Mary Ellie Magsaysay, a Junior at William S. Hart High School. Both dancers were featured soloists in SC Ballet’s June ’23 production of Hänsel and Gretel and Princesses in The Twelve Dancing Princesses.
“The Sugar Plum Fairy” will be danced by Emma Harris, a professional ballerina who trained with the Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington, DC, and has danced professionally with the Dutch National Ballet and Ballet Manila.
Audiences will be delighted to know all their usual favorites will be back; Bryan Wallk as the eccentric Uncle Drosselmeyer, Raydel Caceres as the gallant Cavalier, Danny Davalos displaying his acrobatic partnering in the Arabian dance, and of course the adorable Gumdrops who emerge from under the towering Madame Gigogne’s gigantic skirt.
Performances will be at the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center at College of the Canyons, Saturday, December 16th at 2pm and 7:30pm, and Sunday, December 17th at 2pm. To purchase tickets or more information visit: www.santaclaritaballet.net or call: (661) 251-0366.