The world famous performers of the Shanghai Ballet land in North America this year with a gloriously romantic work which has been described as China's Romeo and Juliet. The Butterfly Lovers, choreographed by Xin Lili and with music by Xu Jiangquan, is a work which beautifully blends the masterful art of ballet with the glorious poetry of traditional Chinese folklore, in a production guaranteed to delight.

Magical toy soldiers, sparkling fairies, mischievous mice, and all the enchanting inhabitants of E.T.A. Hoffmann's whimsical world descend upon Costa Mesa's Segerstrom Hall this December for the Southern California tradition of ballet master Alexei Ratmansky's exhilarating imagining of The Nutcracker.

Directed by Artistic Director Salwa Rizkalla, Festival Ballet Theatre's dazzling annual production of The Nutcracker returns this year to sweep you and your family out of the auditorium and into Clara's wonderful dream. With daring duels, the glittering Sugar Plum Fairy and an adventure to the Land of Sweets all backed by Tchaikovsky's unforgettable score, discover once more, or for the first time, why it's the world's most beloved festive treat!