Nutcracker Luncheon

In December 1944, San Francisco Ballet premiered the first full-length production of Nutcracker in the U.S. Since this historic premiere, Bay Area audiences have enjoyed the tradition of Nutcracker year after year. Magically, in December 2004, SF Ballet unveiled Helgi Tomasson’s all-new production set in 1915 San Francisco, reinvigorating a cultural treasure and deepening further the storied bond between Nutcracker and its American birthplace – exactly 60 years after its U.S. debut.

On Saturday, December 12, 2009, the SF Ballet Auxiliary hosted its fourth annual Nutcracker luncheon in the War Memorial Opera House. With a host of holiday activities and entertainment, gourmet food and magical surprises, guests received premier seating for the Nutcracker performance, and Grand Benefactor donors took part in a special backstage tour at the conclusion of the performance.

Kristin Long (SF Ballet Principal Dancer) with Hannah, Martin West (SF Ballet Music Director and Principal Conductor)	Lee Sung Sergi, Allison Huegel (Décor Chair)
Samara Diapoulos, Christine Leong Connors, Dara Rosenfeld	Suzanne Thornton, Brenda Leff, Betsy Linder
Allison Huegel (Décor Chair), Sue Malecki (Event Chair), Kathy Huber (Luncheon Chair)	Julie Cooper, Dr. Larry Lustig, Jennifer McCall (SF Ballet Trustee), Dr. Nikolas Blevins with his son, children from the Baker Institute for Children with Hearing Loss, dancers
Committee