Ballet Louisiane Nutcracker 2018 at St. Martin's Episcopal Solomon Theater

Since 1928, thousands of New Orleans' best dancers have enjoyed the unique teaching methods of Lelia Haller. Lelia Haller Ballet Classique will present their company, Ballet Louisiane, in their 12th annual production of the holiday dance classic The Nutcracker, based on E.T.A. Hoffman's story "The Nutcracker and The Mouse King" with soaring musical score by Tchaikovsky.

Lelia Haller was the first in New Orleans to begin the tradition of annual productions of this holiday classic, and this year continues its tradition of recruiting some of the best-known local award-winning theatrical talents to star in the production.

Scott Sauber dances the role of The Nutcracker Prince, Lara Grice is spicey Mother Ginger, and Director/Designer/Actor Edward R. Cox brings Uncle Drosselmayer magically to life.

The role of Clara will be played by Addison Womac with Saintsation Jesse Hernandez as The Mouse King, Dawn Palazzo and Langston Fishburne as The Arabians, Cate Tallant as The Sugar Plum Fairy and Trey Mauldwin as her Cavalier, featuring Rachel Yazbeck and Edward Spots as The Snow Queen and King.

This performance will feature choreography by Cheryl O'Sullivan, Shannon Rodriguez, Joan Casey, Jennifer Hazelwood and Tanya Kinnett, direction by Shannon Rodriguez and Joan Casey, sparkling sets and props by Edward R. Cox, dazzling costumes by Cecile Covert and Joan Casey, lighting by Scott Sauber, and all production photography by Sheik.

Lelia Haller founded her ballet school in 1928 after her years as a pedagogue with the Paris Opera Ballet and began the tradition of the annual productions of The Nutcracker in New Orleans in the early 1950's. Many of the best known dancers in New Orleans and the nation studied under Lelia Haller, including internationally renowned choreographer Kirk Peterson, international superstar Royes Fernandez (Considered America's First Premiere Danseur), Harvey Hysell, Ellen Hardeman, Karen Hebert and a host of others on the national and international dance scene. Today, Lelia Haller's grand and great grand children continue to run and work in the business, still using her distinctive and classic educational style.