San Francisco Ballet - "Nutcracker"

San Francisco Ballet
Nutcracker
December 6th, 2025 (matinee)
War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco

When I first decided to pursue the dance writing game, seasoned and experienced colleagues had various pieces of advice for me. Including one very specific statement of caution (that came from multiple people), “you will have no option but to review Nutcracker every year.” Accurate, yes. Obvious, also yes. Though I have to admit that I was surprised by an assumed negative connection with the classic story ballet.  I mean to each their own of course, but I love the Nutcracker. The festivities. The magic. The childlike glee, onstage and in the audience. And here in San Francisco, we have a great Nutcracker, choreographed in 2004 by former Artistic Director Helgi Tomasson. Save for a puzzling narrative choice in the second Act, this Nutcracker has it all, including great choreography danced by superb artists. I think SFB’s production may even have the power to turn the grumpiest Nutcracker Scrooge into a fan.

San Francisco Ballet in Tomasson's Nutcracker
©San Francisco Ballet, Photo Lindsey Rallo

Act I has action to spare. From an elaborate Christmas Eve shindig to a magical transformation; a battle royal to a wintry blizzard, viewers are quickly invested in Clara’s (Luka Ganaden, at this performance) fantastical journey with her Nutcracker prince (danced by Max Cauthorn). And with all of that action came plenty of highlights. The SFB School students were great – super in sync. Sky-high extensions and over splits made Luca Ferrò’s jack-in-the-box fit the bill of that hyper-bendable character, while Seojeong Yun’s purposeful off-balanced-ness and angular port de bras truly brought a toy doll to life. 

My favorite moment in any Nutcracker is the snow scene, and SFB’s does not disappoint. Tomasson’s dance architecture is gorgeous and the precipitation envelopes the entire War Memorial stage. As Queen & King of the Snow, Isabella DeVivo and Joshua Jack Price were exquisite – stately, elegant and regal. This pas de deux is not particular lengthy, but it is packed with high lifts and carries, which the pair had well in hand. As with the spins, balances, Italian pas de chats and jeté entrelacé, making the brief duet as sweeping and billowing as the blizzard around them.

**Due to illness, I was unable to view the second act**