The performance was beautiful... everything from the costumes to the dancers. Misty Copeland was especially magical

I've been attending The Nutcracker ballet performances on and off for the past 20+ years and the ABT on Friday night (12/13) was among my favorites. From the dancing to the costumes to the sets, it was pure holiday perfection. I wish I were going again.

Not the classic with complex, magical dancers and story. We are still trying to figure out what happened to the Sugar Plum Fairy. She wore a bland ivory costume and her partner was in a dazzling silver and white costume that made her costume look worn and tired. I’d have to say there were no real dances in the first half. It just didn’t feel like a professional company. I’ve seen the ballet done by the Kirov and the ABT version didn’t begin to compare.

I just saw ABT ‘s Nutcracker tonight and this used to be my favorite ballet company. When I went years ago, the sets and choreography was AMAZING! The dancers were the crème of the crop. This was the worst Nutcracker I’ve seen. The choreography was not good. Looked like a bunch of ballet students rather than a professional company. I didn’t like the fact that Clara and the Nutcracker were played by kids. Long gone are the days of Gelsey Kirkland & Baryshnikov.

I MIGHT BE JUGING TOO STRONG BECAUSE I WAS LUCKY TO SEE THE BEST: "THE NUTCRACKER" BY THE BOLSHOY THEATER AND BY KIROV BALLET. HOWEVER, THE AMERICAN BALLET IS A HIGHLY RESPECTED COMPANY, SO I EXPECTED MUCH MORE FROM IT. FIRST OF ALL, THE STAGE SCENERY IS VERY PLAIN AS IF COMING FROM A POOR PROVINCIAL THEATER. WHY NOT TO GIVE THE AUDIENCE A TRYLY ENCHANTING WINTER FOREST INSTEAD OF STRANGE BUNCH OF STICKS? IT IS SO IMPORTANT, ESPECIALLY FOR THE CHILDREN IN THE AUDIENCE, TO HAVE A FEELING OF BEING INSIDE THE FAIRY TALE FROM BEGINNING TO THE END OF THE PERFORMANCE. LIBRETTO WAS CHANGED FROM THE ORIGINAL ONE AND NOT FOR THE BETTER: AMAZING WALTZ OF FLOWERS WAS REPRESENTED BY 4 WASPS (BEES?) INSTEAD OF SPECTACULAR AND COMPLEX DANCE OF MANY PERFORMERS INCLUDING CHILDREN. WHEN I SHARED MY PERSEPTION WITH OTHERS IN THE AUDIENCE, I HEARD THAT THEY'VE "SEEN WORSE" SAD, SAD, SAD

I took my children to ABT The Nutcracker in Costa Mesa on Friday Dec 9 2022. The show was underwhelming to start the least. We were expecting the classic version of an iconic ballet. The show itself has changed in many ways. The story line, the orchestra, the original richly textured color palette of costume. It has been modernized and has lost its magic. The second half of the show is completely different from years past with a very, “it’s a small world” feel. If you’re looking for the iconic Nutcracker performance, this is not it.