The Santa Rosa Nutcracker Ballet, at the Wells Fargo Center, is one of the best holiday traditions in Sonoma County and a terrific event for the whole family. I know, I know…going to see a local ballet production can be a scary proposition. Unlike pizza, ballet is not good even when it’s bad. When it’s bad, it’s awful. So, no, I wasn’t particularly excited the first time my family ventured forth to see the Nutcracker in Santa Rosa. It was just one of those things I had to do as the father of a little girl who wants to grow up to be a ballerina (…and a fairy…and a princess). So, to say I was happily surprised at the caliber of this performance would be an understatement. I was absolutely thrilled. And I would happily see it again--even without my Little Princess in tow.

One of the reasons the Nutcracker in Santa Rosa is so good is that instead of being produced by any once dance school in the area, all local dancers who are trained by schools and/or instructors in Sonoma County are welcome to audition. So, the pool of talent is large. Plus, professionals from around the world are hired for the principal parts. Meaning, local dancers get the opportunity to perform with highly acclaimed dancers, artistic directors, choreographers, and a full orchestra on a large stage in front of an audience of several hundred. It also means that I get to enjoy a top-notch performance without having to leave little ole Sonoma County.

Not only did my wife and I love the Santa Rosa Nutcracker, but our Little Princess was mesmerized. She, like so many other little girls in the theater, dressed up in pink and frills and braids, all pretending to be Claire. Many of the parents dressed up a little more than we usually do here in Wine Country as well. So the whole mood was not so much formal as whimsical.

During intermission, there were tons of Nutcracker paraphernalia for sale in the lobby: Nutcracker Christmas ornaments, snow globes, little tiaras… And they weren’t ridiculously priced. We bought a small wooden Nutcracker which was placed under the tree as soon as we came home. And it will be out again this Holiday Season, reminding us of our first Santa Rosa Nutcracker experience. Maybe this year we'll get the snow globe...

Producer - Dr. Darlene Walley

Guest Principle Dancers -  Rasta Thomas & Tina Kay Bohnstedt

Artistic Director - Maria Vegh

- 2 performances on Saturday 2pm & 7pm

- Box Office Phone# 707.546.3600 

-  Online Tickets