News Summary
The Los Angeles Ballet announces its 2025/2026 season, marking 20 years as the longest-operating professional classic ballet company in Los Angeles. Highlights include performances of The Nutcracker and the premiere of ’20 Years of Los Angeles Ballet’, showcasing classic works and blending holiday traditions with local themes. The season will culminate in a production of Giselle. LAB aims to engage both long-time patrons and new audiences with its diverse array of performances and commitment to the art of ballet.
Los Angeles – The Los Angeles Ballet (LAB) has officially announced its highly anticipated 2025/2026 season, celebrating the company’s significant milestone of 20 years as the longest-operating professional classical ballet company in Los Angeles’ history. This upcoming season promises an array of exciting performances, beginning with the beloved holiday classic, The Nutcracker, which is set to enchant audiences in December 2025.
The Nutcracker will kick off LAB’s season with performances slated for December 12-14, 2025, at Royce Hall at UCLA, followed by additional shows at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood from December 19-28, 2025. The cherished production features choreography by Thordal Christensen and Colleen Neary, set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic score. This year, The Nutcracker will blend traditional holiday elements with local Southern California themes, showcasing sights like Big Bear and Venice Beach.
In addition to The Nutcracker, LAB will continue its January 2026 residency at The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. A highlight of the season will be the premiere of a triple bill production titled “20 Years of Los Angeles Ballet,” which will feature three major works: George Balanchine’s Rubies, Hans van Manen’s Frank Bridge Variations, and a new creation by Artistic Director Melissa Barak, marking her third major work since 2022.
The season will culminate with LAB’s debut at The Music Center in Spring 2026. This much-anticipated performance will be a production of Giselle at The Ahmanson Theatre, with show dates set for April 30 to May 3, 2026. Giselle, recognized as a masterpiece of the Romantic Era, weaves a tale of supernatural themes and Eastern European folklore, highlighting the character’s choice of forgiveness over vengeance.
The Nutcracker performances this season will not only showcase the ballet’s tradition but will also be complemented by LAB’s signature holiday fundraiser, the “Nutcracker Tea,” which will take place at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills on November 22 & 23, 2025. This fundraiser will contribute to LAB’s ongoing support and celebration of the arts.
In addition to the upcoming season, LAB has previously featured celebrated choreographers including Aszur Barton, Alejandro Cerrudo, Val Caniparoli, Christopher Wheeldon, Jiri Kylian, Jose Limon, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, and Melissa Barak. LAB is well-known for staging both classical and neoclassical works by iconic choreographers such as George Balanchine, Sir Frederick Ashton, and August Bournonville.
Each piece included in the “20 Years of Los Angeles Ballet” bill promises to showcase the diverse and dynamic landscape of ballet. Rubies, with its vibrant and jazz-influenced choreography by George Balanchine, is set to Igor Stravinsky’s captivating score. The Frank Bridge Variations by Hans van Manen is known for its emotionally charged movements set to Benjamin Britten’s music, and will certainly be a highlight of the program.
The Los Angeles Ballet’s 2025/2026 season not only celebrates two decades of artistic excellence but also invites the community to experience the beauty and power of ballet in its many forms. As LAB prepares to take the stage, it aims to captivate both longtime patrons and new audiences alike with its diverse offerings and commitment to the art form, solidifying its role as a cultural staple in Los Angeles.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Transforming Costume Design Education in Hollywood
Los Angeles Cultural Events from August 11-15
Funding Cuts Threaten Dance Organizations in Los Angeles
Victoria Monét Celebrates Family and Launches New Children’s Book
Los Angeles Cola: A Reflection of Cultural Ties Between Japan and America
Cultural Events in Los Angeles for June
Launch of New Tabloid ‘On The Rag’ Celebrated in Los Angeles
Los Angeles Ballet’s Reimagined Cinderella Production
Celebrating Space Exploration with a Week of Events
Hollywood Fringe Festival to Premiere ‘NO’ by Annalisa Limardi
Additional Resources
- Broadway.com: Broadway Best Shows 2025
- Wikipedia: Broadway
- The New York Times: Damn Yankees Show
- Google Search: Damn Yankees Broadway
- New York Theatre Guide: Cats The Jellicle Ball
- Google Scholar: Cats The Jellicle Ball
- Broadway News: Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Broadway shows
- Broadway Direct: Your Broadway Show Guide
- Google News: Broadway 2025
Author: STAFF HERE HOLLYWOOD
The Hollywood Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREHollywood.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Hollywood, Los Angeles County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Hollywood Bowl summer concerts, the Hollywood Christmas Parade, film premieres at TCL Chinese Theatre, and festivals at the Magic Castle. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and Visit Hollywood, plus leading businesses in entertainment, dining, and tourism that define the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERELosAngeles.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HEREAnaheim.com, and HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
