By Lina Broydo
December 16-23, 2023
It’s December time with a joyful and enchanted tradition of presenting the varied productions of the Nutcracker all over the world, including the New Ballet company of Silicon Valley.
Showcasing its innovative and uniquely creative choreography featuring brilliant dancers, stunning costumes and spectacular sets and lighting, making it one of the magnificent ballets Pyotr I. Tchaikovsky had in mind when he composed this charming ballet in 1892.
And 131 years later it is a wish of every child to see and dream about the fabulous Nutcracker.
Excellent in the art of ballet and beautifully choreographed by Dalia Rawson, the New Ballet’s Director, Founder and Choreographer, the New Ballet‘s production of The San Jose Nutcracker delivers!
The current performances are featuring New Ballet’s professional dancers, students from New Ballet’s American Ballet Theatre Certified training program, the Ragazzi Boys Chorus, and dancers from Los Lupenos Juvenil with the live accompaniment by the New Ballet Orchestra.
The San Jose Nutcracker is a classical holiday ballet unique to the local community. Presented in partnership with History San Jose, it tells the well-loved story of Clara and the Nutcracker, while featuring historical references to the heritage that has made Santa Clara Valley a center of innovation.
The New Ballet Orchestra, a professional orchestra led by New Ballet Conductor Thomas Shoebotham accompanies performances of The San Jose Nutcracker.
Also featuring My Very First Nutcracker, a special 45-minute performance for younger audiences with reduced prices. My Very First Nutcracker does not tell the entire Nutcracker story, and introduces Clara, her family, the Nutcracker and the Nutcracker Prince, the comic toy battle with Mousima, the Snow Queen and the Land of Snow.
Dalia Rawson, a native of Summit, New Jersey who moved with her parents to Saratoga, California at the age of 11 months. Rawson is the Director, Founder and primary choreographer of New Ballet. From 1991 to 2006, Dalia Rawson performed a wide variety of leading roles as a dancer with Ballet San Jose. She began teaching at BSJ School in 2000 and was named Ballet Mistress in 2007, Principal in 2012, and Director in 2014. In 2013 Rawson was awarded a Fellowship from the New York Choreographic Institute, an affiliate of New York City Ballet. An ABT Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT Teacher Training Intensive in Primary through Level 7 of the ABT National Training Curriculum,
Rawson is also a member of the ABT Artistic Board of Examiners. In 2016, Rawson’s production of The San Jose Nutcracker premiered to sold out houses and critical acclaim. About the work, Tad Malone of The San Jose Metro said, “Ultimately, this show’s captivating success comes down to the meticulous and inspired vision of New Ballet’s executive director and choreographer, Dalia Rawson.
The routines were intricate, graceful – oftentimes unfurling into each other in remarkably fluid transition.” Since then Rawson has created a repertory of ballets for New Ballet’s professional company, including the story ballets “Cinderella,” “Sleeping Beauty,” “Swan Lake,” “La Boutique Fantasque,” as well as the contemporary sleeper hit “Less than Three.”
Hailed by critics and audience members as “mesmerizing and innovative”, New Ballet celebrates the virtuosity of classical ballet in the heart of Silicon Valley.
“Amazing in every kind of way” – ABC7 TV News.
“The dancing is of impressive caliber’ – SF Chronicle
“Easily the area’s leading ballet organization” – Metro Silicon Valley
Happy Holidays!
Information
Tickets for The San Jose Nutcracker start at $25
408-792-4111; newballet.com/nutcracker
California Theatre at 345 South First Street in downtown San Jose
Photos courtesy of New Ballet
