Smuin Welcomes in the Holiday Season with “The Christmas Ballet”

     Smuin’s joyful holiday tradition has returned to live in-theater after 21 months, spreading yuletide cheer at theatres around the Bay with its signature showcase of classical and contemporary dances set to delightfully festive tunes. “Smuin’s The Christmas Ballet,” currently performing through December 24 in Mountain View, Carmel, and San Francisco, celebrates the holidays with two colorful acts highlighting the best of both worlds: beautiful classical ballet set to beloved carols, and red-hot contemporary numbers set to pop favorites. Its 2022 edition features dances ranging from ballet, tap, and jazz, to swing and more, plus the unwrapping of two world premieres.

     Smuin’s “The Christmas Ballet” has long been a festive tradition for Bay Area dance lovers across the Bay Area. Along with a return to Michael Smuin’s original pieces, the company will unwrap new surprises from Smuin’s former Choreographer-in-Residence, Amy Seiwert, as well as Smuin alum Nicole Haskins.

     The first act, “Classical Christmas,” unveils a new pas deux by Haskins set to a piece of music created from a prayer for Ukraine, in addition to traditional favorites such as Michael Smuin’s “Bach Magnificat,” “Wassail,” and “Licht bensh’n”.

     The “Cool Christmas” second act is so festive with its red hot costumes and dancing green trees doing modern, folk and comic numbers as it features the world premiere of an ensemble ballet by Seiwert as well as a spirited medley of contemporary festive numbers, such as Michael Smuin’s sultry “Christmas in New Orleans,” the spirited tap dance “Bells of Dublin,” the folk dance inspired “La Calandria,” and dancing conifers in “Droopy Little Christmas Tree.” And fans can rest easy, Smuin’s iconic “Santa Baby” featuring the “world’s longest feather boa” is also back.

“Smuin’s The Christmas Ballet” will tour the Bay Area, with shows in Mountain View (December 1-4), Carmel (Dec 9-10), and wrapping up with San Francisco (December 14-24). Tickets ($25-$99) are available by calling the individual venues (Mountain View: (650) 903-6000, Carmel: (831) 620-2048, San Francisco: (415) 912-1899) or visiting www.smuinballet.org.

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Photo caption: Smuin artist Oliver-Paul Adams looks on in amazement at the dancing tree in Rex Wheeler's "Christmas Tree Rock." The Christmas Ballet is currently touring the Bay Area through December 24, 2022. (Photo credit: Keith Sutter)