Opening the month of December with great ballet presentations has become a tradition in Costa Rica, this year is no exception as fans will be able to enjoy Alice in Wonderland and The Nutcracker.

Alice in Wonderland, a contemporary ballet that gathers more than 70 dancers and actors, will take the National Theater in San Jose for third consecutive year. Tickets can be purchased with a 20% discount on pre-sale with Bac Credomatic cards until October 31; after this day, tickets can be purchased at their regular prices which go from 10 thousand colones to 31 thousand colones ($17 to $52 USD).

The presentations will take place the week of December 7 through the 16. The ballet directed by Maria Amalia Pendones is a co-production of the National Theater and Danzay and has been enjoyed in its past presentations by over 20,000 people. This will be the last year this show is presented.

The Nutcracker is a Christmas classic that many Costa Ricans anxiously await. This year the show will take place at the Melico Salazar Theter, December 1 through December 9. Tickets are already on sale and can be purchased online at eticket.cr or at any of the Servimas kiosks in the different Walmart and Mas x Menos supermarkets, initially, American Express cardholders have priority through October 29, followed by Credomatic cardholders that can get their tickets between October 30 and November 6 and finally November 7 the tickets will be available with any payment method. Prices go from 17 thousand colones to 36 thousand colones (approximately $28.50 to $60.40 USD).

“This year The Nutcracker comes with great surprises, one of the most important is that several scenes have been completely renewed in form and choreography. Another novelty involves the new scenography elements and wardrobe as well as the inclusion of new characters and roles”, explains the press release.

As usual, the cast of The Nutcracker incudes Costa Rican ballet dancers as well as 14 international guest artists. Great part of the choreographies are the work of Wes Chapman and Patricia Carreras, Artistic Directors of The Nutcracker, “this meant several visits to Mr. Chapman, and intense training and rehearsal with solo artists and the group of dancers”.

Costa Rican dancers were selected in auditions that took place back in May and with the participation of 35 ballet and dance schools of different regions of the country.