Lester Gonzalez
The Nutcracker
Tickets on sale · December 12, 2026
The Nutcracker.
A dramatic twist on a timeless tale.
Experience the magic of Tchaikovsky’s beloved ballet at the historic Los Angeles Theatre.
Saturday, December 12Los Angeles Theatre
Choose your performance · All times Pacific
Ticket purchases are completed through Ticketmaster.
Featuring the Stars of Tomorrow
Meet the cast.
Sophia Reed
Dancer & vocalist
Claire Wu
Dancer
John Winscher
Drosselmeyer
Lester Gonzalez
The Nutcracker
Lester Gonzalez is a ballet dancer and graduate of the National Ballet School of Havana, Cuba. His career includes performances with Ballet Laura Alonso, Ballet San Antonio, and Dayton Ballet, with leading roles in The Great Gatsby and Edwaard Liang’s Romeo and Juliet. He has also appeared in productions with San Diego Opera, Arizona Opera, and Los Angeles Opera. In 2023, he made his musical theater debut in the North American tour of Anastasia and was selected for the National Choreographers Initiative. Lester is the co-founder of Pas De Deux Workshops & Coaching.
Sophia Reed
Dancer & vocalist
Sophia Reed is a freshman at Murrieta Valley High School who began dancing at age seven. She has performed in The Nutcracker, Beauty and the Beast, and Snow White, and spent much of 2026 training at the Bolshoi International School of Ballet in Moscow. A trained vocalist, she has also appeared in musical theater productions including The Sound of Music, Les Misérables, Frozen, and Cats. Sophia plays piano and guitar and is fluent in English and Russian. She is thrilled to join Mark Erickson’s The Nutcracker and share her love of music and dance.
Claire Wu
Dancer
Claire Wu is a 13-year-old dancer with approximately nine years of training in ballet and contemporary dance. She recently earned second place in contemporary and third place in classical ballet in the Junior division at Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) Los Angeles. In 2026, she received admission offers from the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School’s year-round Professional Division and Ballet West Academy’s Professional Training Division, Level 1. Combining classical training with a love of expressive movement, Claire enjoys bringing characters and stories to life and is delighted to join this production of The Nutcracker.
John Winscher
Drosselmeyer
John Winscher is an actor trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. His screen credits include Netflix’s Cobra Kai, HBO’s The Righteous Gemstones, The CW’s The Vampire Diaries, Good Behavior, and Reprisal. A member of The Exodus Ensemble in Santa Fe, he has performed in Cyrano, Bathsheba, and Ivanov. His work also encompasses professional dance, motion capture, stunt choreography, stage combat, and living statue performance. With a career spanning dramatic and comedic roles on both stage and screen, John brings a broad range of performance experience to Mark Erickson’s The Nutcracker.
An Enchanting Holiday
at the Los Angeles Theatre
Mark Erickson’s The Nutcracker
Featuring the Stars of Tomorrow
Let the music carry you away.
Let the season work its magic.
This December, step inside the splendor of the historic Los Angeles Theatre for Mark Erickson’s “The Nutcracker,” a celebration of exquisite dancing, timeless music, and the wonder of first love.
Set to Tchaikovsky’s beloved score, this fresh interpretation follows Clara-Marie on an enchanting journey where imagination awakens and romance unfolds. Accomplished guest artists share the stage with exceptional rising talent, bringing grace, energy, and heartfelt storytelling to a cherished holiday tradition.
Leading the cast is Cuban-born ballet artist Lester Gonzalez as the Nutcracker, joined by John Winscher as the mysterious Drosselmeyer. Known for his appearances in Cobra Kai, The Vampire Diaries, and The Righteous Gemstones, Winscher brings his screen and stage experience to this captivating role.
Beyond the stage, the theatre becomes part of the occasion. Its lavish interiors and sweeping grand staircase invite you to dress for the season, pause for a photograph, and savor a setting as memorable as the performance itself.
Gather the people you love for an afternoon of wonder or an evening of romance, music, and celebration.
Make this December a memory to treasure.
Saturday, December 12, 2026
2:00 PM & 7:00 PM · Pacific Time
Los Angeles Theatre
Ticket purchases are completed through Ticketmaster.
Two performances. One special day.
Make it a date.
Saturday, December 12, 2026
Los Angeles Theatre · 615 S Broadway
All times Pacific. Ticket purchases are completed through Ticketmaster.
The Matinee01 /
2:00 PM
Saturday, December 12, 2026
- Doors open
- 12:00 PM
- Venue
- Los Angeles Theatre
The Evening02 /
7:00 PM
Saturday, December 12, 2026
- Doors open
- 5:00 PM
- Venue
- Los Angeles Theatre
The production
A familiar tale. A fresh perspective.
More than 20 years in development, Mark Erickson’s production brings dramatic storytelling and classical dance together for a new Los Angeles chapter.
Follow Clara-Marie into a world of holiday magic, set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic score. Emerging young artists join featured performers to bring the story to life.
Meet the creative team
Together on stage · 2026
The studios behind the magic.
Meet the studios participating in this year’s production of Mark Erickson’s The Nutcracker.
Li’s Ballet Studio
Temple City, California
Participating studio
Visit studio website
Pacific Ballet Conservatory
Aliso Viejo, California
Participating studio
Visit studio websiteThe Ballet Studio
Temecula, California
Partner studio
Visit studio websiteYour visit
A little planning. A magical evening.
When do the doors open?
Doors open two hours before each performance: noon for the matinee and 5 PM for the evening. The Nutcracker Market in the lobby offers food, drinks and holiday gifts before the show.
Does every guest need a ticket?
Yes. Ticketmaster specifies that every person needs a ticket, regardless of age.
What should I know about accessibility?
Wheelchair-accessible seating and restrooms are available. There is no elevator to the Mezzanine level. Check accessible seating options on Ticketmaster before booking.
What about parking and photography?
Valet parking and nearby parking structures are available. Photography, video and audio recording are prohibited during the performance.
Entry and venue information from the Ticketmaster event listing .
Before the curtain rises
Discover the story behind the stage.
Explore the award-winning documentary, The Making of the Nutcracker, and the people whose passion brought it to life.
Explore Film & Awards