In Santa Barbara, sometimes it’s hard to remember that it’s the holiday season. Deep into December, palm trees sway and sunshine blares, despite the nonstop radio recycle of “Jingle Bells” and “Frosty the Snowman.” But as an aspiring ballerina growing up here, I knew Santa was on his way when I’d don my best floral-print dress and head to the Santa Barbara Festival Ballet’s (SBFB) production of The Nutcracker. Five seconds in, Christmas bells were ringing hard and fast, and I felt completely enveloped by the winter wonderland. Most of all, the Santa Barbara Symphony’s glorious music lulled me into a candy-cane-fueled bliss.
That was in the 1980s, but this amazing tradition continues still, and the production is now in its 41st year. In thinking back to my own holiday memories, I grew interested in learning more about the background of this time-treasured Santa Barbara tradition. How did it get started? Who are the principal dancers this year? And what is the story of this iconic ballet anyways?
In case you have been living under a media-free holiday rock, here’s a quick summary of The Nutcracker: E.T.A. Hoffmann’s story is set at a lavish Christmas party, and it follows Clara, a young girl who receives a toy nutcracker from her magical godfather, Herr Drosselmeyer, as a Christmas present. The toy transforms Clara’s evening into an enchanted journey involving a nutcracker turned prince, a Sugar Plum Fairy, and a voyage into a giant candy-filled kingdom. Entertaining characters and a thrilling score make up for any holes in the plot.