On December 16, 2025, I attended the San Francisco Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco, California. Choreographed by Helgi Tomasson, this specific production is uniquely set in 1915 San Francisco, directly connecting the classic holiday narrative to local history by mirroring a city alive with innovation and global exchange during the era of the Panama-Pacific International Exposition.
The performance featured Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s score, played live by the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra during its 50th-anniversary season. The production is notable for its distinct scenic design by Michael Yeargan and costumes by Martin Pakledinaz, which ground the choreography in historical San Francisco. SF Ballet holds the historical distinction of presenting the first full-length Nutcracker in the United States in 1944, and this current 2004 iteration continues that legacy with a heavy focus on localized storytelling and unique staging.