The Long Beach Nutcracker at Terrace Theater, Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center

The Long Beach Ballet presents its 44th annual production of The Nutcracker, featuring guest artists Mate Szentes of the Hungarian National Ballet and Megan Wilcox as the Sugar Plum Fairy for the first weekend, followed by Vitor Luiz and Tara Ghassemieh for the second weekend. The production includes a full symphony orchestra conducted by Dr. Roger Hickman, a flying sleigh, a real live horse, onstage pyrotechnics, and a cast of over 250. Scenery is by former Disney designers Elliot Hessayon and Scott Schaffer, costumes by Adrian Clark, and special effects by magician Franz Harary. Artistic Director David Wilcox leads the production, which has been performed for millions of audience members worldwide.