‘The Nutcracker’ returns to Segerstrom with Misty Copeland in the opening cast
The Segerstrom Center for the Arts will present a perennial holiday favorite with the return of American Ballet Theatre’s production of “The Nutcracker.”
The ballet, set to Tchaikovsky’s score and choreographed by ABT artist in residence Alexei Ratmansky, runs from Friday to Dec. 18 and will feature a cast of 100 performers and sets designed with snowflakes, dancing toy soldiers and a Christmas tree.
Misty Copeland and Herman Cornejo will lead the opening night cast of “The Nutcracker,” with Copeland dancing the roles of Clara and the Princess and Cornejo taking on the Nutcracker and the Prince. Subsequent casts include Stella Abrera, Gillian Murphy, Alexandre Hammoudi and Jeffrey Cirio, among others.
ABT dancer and Fountain Valley native Jamie Kopit, 22, has seven roles in “The Nutcracker,” including a gossiping maid, Clara’s grandmother and a life-size doll.
Kopit, whose parents enrolled her in a weekly ballet class at age 3 at Southland Ballet Academy in Costa Mesa, took a class with ABT and was given a contract at age 17. She said one of her proudest moments is being chosen to be a corps dancer alongside ABT’s principles and soloists.
“The choreography may be different, but the music always reminds me of my younger self that dreamed of being where I am today,” said Kopit, noting that she has been in some version of “The Nutcracker’ since she was 5 years old, beginning as an angel in Festival Ballet Theater’s production.
“I want the audience to enjoy Tchaikovsky’s incredible score, be inspired by some of the best dancers in the world and enjoy a child’s fantasy full of adventure, friendship and love,” Kopit said.
Tickets start at $29.
The Segerstrom Center for the Arts is at 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. For more information, call (714) 556-2787 or visit scfta.org.
Twitter: @KathleenLuppi
