In the newest installment of Behind the Ballet, ABT Dance Historian and New York Times #1 best-selling author Elizabeth Kaye puts the spotlight on the beloved tradition returning this holiday season. Kaye takes us on a magical journey through The Nutcracker’s history, music, and how the ballet came to be a worldwide holiday sensation.  

Don’t miss ABT’s The Nutcracker on stage at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, California, from December 8–17! With choreography by Alexei Ratmansky, this annual classic brings a cast of more than 100 performers to the stage and features dazzling sets and costumes by Tony Award® winner Richard Hudson, accompanied by Tchaikovsky’s timeless score.