Nutcracker film premieres at Boardwalk
‘Clara’s Dream,’ Santa Cruz Ballet Theater’s pandemic rendition of ‘The Nutcracker,’ is set to have its premiere on Saturday
SANTA CRUZ >> Production is complete and the Santa Cruz Ballet Theater’s 38th performance of “The Nutcracker” will premiere Saturday.
This year, the Santa Cruz Ballet Theater had to get creative with their production of “The Nutcracker.” Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the theater decided to film a rendition of the famous ballet at different settings around Santa Cruz.
“I would like to thank all of the businesses that supported us and donated their time and energy and locations,” Creative Director Diane Cypher said. “Some of them were very generous to us. I’d like to thank all of those people for supporting us.”
Santa Cruz Ballet Theater is offering three ways to enjoy Clara’s enchanted adventures this holiday season. Patrons can either stream the film online, purchase a DVD to own or view “Clara’s Dream” during its premiere at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk Drive-in Theater at the River parking lot on the corner of Beach and Third streets.
“It’s pretty cool,” Cypher said
of the film premiering at one of its feature locations. “What other more iconic location in this town is there? The Boardwalk, everybody knows it.”
The stream is available for preorder now, but will not be available to watch until Sunday after the film premieres at the drive-in. Those wishing to watch “Clara’s Dream” at the drive-in can do so 6:30 p.m. or 8 p.m. Saturday. Tickets to the drive-in are $35 per car.
The stream is available at three different price ranges. A single person or couple can stream for $25 and families can watch for $40. The Santa Cruz Ballet Theater wants to make the film available to everyone, so it included a third price point of $10 for those who are struggling financially.
“I think about how many people have small businesses and how many people are losing their jobs
right now,” Cypher said. “The more people that save the better.”
In the spirit of generosity, Santa Cruz Ballet will offer free streams to local nursing homes and homeless shelters. Cypher wants to spread holiday cheer to those who may be struggling right now, especially people who can’t see their families due to the pandemic.
“I think that anyone in
those situations could use a little boost so we’re going to try and provide that,” Cypher said. “We have a long history of providing tickets to those types of organizations as well.”
All the proceeds from the film will go to support the ballet theater. The theater also plans to use the proceeds to cover the expenses of the film like the filmmakers and the costumes. The
remaining funds will go toward keeping the theater afloat for future productions.
“Like many other arts organizations, we’re trying to just stay alive right now. Every little bit helps,” Cypher said. “Everyone who sees the movie is going to help with that no matter what kind of ticket they purchase.”
The stream can be viewed at dream.uscreen.io and is available from Sunday to Jan. 10.
For those interested in longer keepsakes, the DVD is available for preorder now, too. Patrons can purchase one DVD for $20 or a set of three for $35 with free shipping to one address. Santa Cruz Ballet Theater expects DVDs to be shipped by Dec. 19.
“That’s what we’re hoping so people can get them by the holidays,” Cypher said.
To purchase a DVD, stream or tickets to the drivein, visit santa- cruz-ballettheater.square.site. The site also provides more information about the drive-in theater as well as a preview for the film.