Alchemy Ballet presents The Andalusian Nutcracker:
A Magical Reimagining of Tchaikovsky’s Beloved Holiday Classic
December 20–21, 2025 | Herndon High School Auditorium, Herndon, VA
Saturday, Dec 20, 2:00pm (mini-Nutcracker: one hour)
Saturday, Dec 20, 5:30pm (full production w/ Mariana Gatto, Miguel Perez & other guest artists: two hours)
Sunday, Dec 21, 3:30pm (full production w/ Torcuato Zamora, Furia Flamenca and other guests: two hours)
INFO/TICKETS: www.alchemyballet.org/nutcracker-2025
Herndon, VA — Under the direction of Lorraine Audeoud Spiegler, Alchemy Ballet presents The Andalusian Nutcracker, a dazzling new reimagining of Tchaikovsky’s beloved holiday classic infused with the fiery spirit, rhythms, and cultural heritage of southern Spain. Performances take place December 20-21, 2025 at Herndon High School Auditorium in Herndon, Virginia.
Set in the heart of Granada, The Andalusian Nutcracker transports audiences to the legendary Alhambra Palace, where young María receives a magical Andalusian Horse Nutcracker that carries her into an enchanted dream world. The production fuses classical ballet with the authentic dance, music, and storytelling traditions of Andalusia—including flamenco, Moorish, Sephardic, and Middle Eastern influences—to create a richly layered, cross-cultural celebration of beauty and imagination.
With original choreography by Lorraine Spiegler and Luis Serrano, this groundbreaking adaptation honors Tchaikovsky’s timeless score while transforming it through the rhythms, movement vocabularies, and visual aesthetics of Iberian and Arab cultures.
Signature scenes take on new life: the party scene will include a delightful puppet show; the “Arabian” dance becomes a showcase of traditional Middle Eastern movement, while the “Russian” dance is reimagined as a vibrant Iberian Horse celebration, complete with extraordinary young tap dancers mimicking horses’ hooves and acrobatic elements that heighten the drama of the battle and celebration scenes.
Featuring Alchemy Ballet students, pre-professional trainees, alumni, and an array of distinguished guest artists—including Estela Vélez and Daniel Paredez of Furia Flamenca, legendary flamenco guitarist Torcuato Zamora (celebrating his 90th birthday!), the Silk Road Dance Company, the acclaimed SopranEssence ensemble of singers, plus members of Helping Hearts through the Arts-–the Andalusian Nutcracker bridges cultures and generations in tribute to the power of art to unite.
“This production is a love letter to Andalusia—a region whose cultural history embodies the coexistence of diverse peoples and traditions,” says Artistic Director Lorraine Spiegler. “Our goal is to honor that legacy while inviting audiences to experience The Nutcracker in a completely new light—full of passion, beauty, and connection.”
The Andalusian Nutcracker is produced by Artists in Motion, the nonprofit parent organization of Alchemy Ballet, committed to building bridges across cultures and generations through world-class ballet training, performance, and community engagement.
About Alchemy Ballet: Founded in 2022 in Herndon, Virginia, Alchemy Ballet, under the nonprofit Artists in Motion, provides professional-level ballet training and cross-cultural performance experiences for dancers of all ages. Guided by a mission to build bridges through art, Alchemy Ballet blends classical excellence with global influences—creating innovative productions that celebrate diversity, imagination, and collaboration. Made possible in part by funding from ArtsFairfax and our individual supporters.