See only here: Intimate Nutcracker Night with Festival Ballet Theatre

I think this is one of the more beautiful pieces I’ve shot. And I’ve learned performance night is nothing like rehearsals (if you saw my behind the scenes last week). Everyone knows where they are supposed to be, and is preparing quietly/in the zone. Here is a look at one of the weekend’s first shows, backstage and on stage). I interviewed the Artistic Director (one hour before the curtains parted) with the #1 U.S. performers warming up behind her.

So click play (best viewed larger/full-screen as the graphics are delicate).

The caliber of talent in the show is top-notch. The best guest artists in the country, including Gillian Murphy & Gennadi Saveliev, Irina Dvorovenko & Jose Manuel Carreno (who has quite a following), and Ashley Ellis & George Birkadze.

I asked Festival Ballet Theatre Salwa Rizkalla how she secures such talent. She humbly attributed it to her 25 years in the ballet, her deep relationships with the dancers and the draw of Orange County, particularly in Winter.

Whatever her magic, she should keep doing it. Bravo!

And as far as ticket prices, she mentioned you could pay up to $140 a ticket for a show like this, but FBT and The Irvine Barclay offer them at just $40 for adults and $35 for children. A point worth noting. Click to purchase. 9 shows between now and Christmas Eve.

I’m also offering an additional 4-ticket family giveaway, as I know so many wanted to go. To win this $120 value, just watch the video and tell me what you liked, are looking forward to in the show, or even maybe learned about our own OC’s FBT.

I’ll pick a winner (via the fair Random.org) on Tues am, the 21st. So enter fast (For an extra entry, just comment also at my blog at OC Family)!