Since its premiere of the show in 2017 in Downtown LA, American Contemporary Ballet’s performance of “The Nutcracker Suite” has been a resounding success. They have sold out every season since that debut, presenting Angelenos a modern immersive experience to a holiday classic.
On Nov. 30, the American Contemporary Ballet (ACB) is returning to Bank of America Plaza to perform “The Nutcracker Suite” with its distinctive twist. Instead of onlookers sitting in the mezzanine or balcony, watching from afar, the ensemble will be mere feet from the guests, dancing around them and creating an intimate ballet performance.
“We made it so that you are that central character and you’re experiencing the dream yourself,” said Lincoln Jones, ACB director and creator of this
performance.
“There are several elements that are very dream-like and surreal. In the original ‘Nutcracker,’ you watch Clara served candy. In this Nutcracker, you’re served ice cream. So, it really puts the audience in this immersive position of being the main character.”
“The Nutcracker” performance embodies what ACB is as a whole, Jones said. They strive to draw the audience further into the art and do so by creating a welcoming atmosphere that includes them in the performance. Guests are in the show-filled world themselves, not just witnessing on the stage. Kids can run out on the dance floor; the dancers will come out after the show, meet the attendees and adults will have
the chance to drink champagne with them after. Everything the company does, Jones said, is to bring art closer to the watcher.
“To have a community that’s truly engaged in the art today, as opposed to looking at it as a historical thing that maybe they don’t quite understand — I think [the dancers] are very happy to be making art for today,” Jones said.
This reinterpreting of the historical performance for today’s audience was one of Jones’ goals in creating the work, wanting to ensure that people felt connected to it beyond the traditional ballet experience.
“Anybody who just wants a night of entertainment and enjoyment and beauty can come and have that and enjoy it,” he said.
There are 24 performances through Dec. 24. Several are already sold out. Jones encouraged those interested in witnessing the performance to purchase tickets in advance at acbdances.com, with costs ranging from $75 to $135. Ticket sales will benefit the ACB, a nonprofit performing arts organization. The show runs for 75 minutes.