As the weather cools and holiday lights begin to twinkle in windows, a beloved Santa Barbara tradition returns: this year, Santa Barbara Festival Ballet celebrates its 50th anniversary of the Nutcracker at the historic Arlington Theater Under the artistic direction of Denise Rinaldi and Valerie Huston, the production combines Tichovsky’s classic score played by a live symphony orchestra with performances of Festival Ballet students and visiting guest artists.
Elisabeth Robilio, a senior at Laguna Blanca who joined Festival ballet in 2018, shares her personal journey with the ballet. “The first year that I performed in Nutcracker at the Arlington with SBFB, I was in 5th grade and I was a party girl, gingersnap, and shepherdess. Since then, I’ve danced nearly all the roles and then some,” she jokes. “This year, I’ll be dancing the roles of Spanish Dancer, Snowflake and Lilac Maiden.”
Nutcracker at the Arlington is one of the few productions on California’s central coast that boasts a live symphony orchestra. “It’s such a privilege that we’re able to have a live orchestra,” says Elisabeth, “It’s definitely a different experience than dancing with pre-recorded music because in class, we rehearse to tracks, so the music is consistent in the studio but not always consistent on stage. It takes a lot of practice to be able to adjust the choreography to the temp that the orchestra plays it at. It also makes the show a little different every night, so it’s always something new and exciting.”
This year’s production features outstanding guest artists including Misa Kuranaga from San Francisco Ballet, Angelo Greco from Houston Ballet, and Alexandra Hutchinson and Klaudio Davis from Dance Theatre of Harlem — all familiar faces who have danced in Nutcracker at the Arlington in past years. “They are so talented and genuinely some of the kindest people I’ve ever met. It’s incredible to be able to dance and perform alongside them; we’re truly so lucky to have them all back this year,” says Elisabeth.
Although the production has changed over the years, one special aspect has remained unchanged since 1975: the finale choreography. “At the end of the ballet, all the dancers and guest artists dance the same choreography that was performed 50 years ago” says Elisabeth, “I think it really speaks to what a time-tested tradition Nutcracker at the Arlington is, and it’s really special.”
Rehearsals and preparations for this year’s show are already underway, as dancers prepare to once again take the Arlington stage to tell the story of The Nutcracker for the 50th time.
