‘Nutcracker’ comes to life on stage in time for the holidays — PHOTOS
Robert Fulton lifts Paityn Lauzon as the Nevada Ballet Theatre rehearses for “The Nutcracker” on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 at the Smith Center in Las Vegas. The show debuts Saturday and runs through December 28. (Liv Paggiarino/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Leo Ameika, playing Herr Drosselmeier, holds up the nutcracker during the Nevada Ballet Theatre’s dress rehearsal for “The Nutcracker” on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in Las Vegas. (Liv Paggiarino/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Uriel Gonzalez and Layla Naldoza dance together as The Nutcracker and Marie during the Nevada Ballet Theatre’s dress rehearsal for “The Nutcracker” on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in Las Vegas. (Liv Paggiarino/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
The Snowflakes dance together during the Nevada Ballet Theatre’s dress rehearsal for “The Nutcracker” on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in Las Vegas. (Liv Paggiarino/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Layla Naldoza, playing Marie, gazes down at the titular nutcracker toy during the Nevada Ballet Theatre’s dress rehearsal for “The Nutcracker” on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in Las Vegas. (Liv Paggiarino/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
A Mouse scurries across the stage during the Nevada Ballet Theatre’s dress rehearsal for “The Nutcracker” on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in Las Vegas. (Liv Paggiarino/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Mirella Costa Neto and Sergio Alvarez dance as the Sugar Plum Fairy and Her Cavalier during the Nevada Ballet Theatre’s dress rehearsal for “The Nutcracker” on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in Las Vegas. (Liv Paggiarino/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Leo McGrath performs as a Toy Soldier during the Nevada Ballet Theatre’s dress rehearsal for “The Nutcracker” on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in Las Vegas. (Liv Paggiarino/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
One of the Snowflakes dances during the Nevada Ballet Theatre’s dress rehearsal for “The Nutcracker” on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in Las Vegas. (Liv Paggiarino/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Cameron Kesten dances as the Mouse King during the Nevada Ballet Theatre’s dress rehearsal for “The Nutcracker” on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in Las Vegas. (Liv Paggiarino/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Toy Soldiers line up before a dance number during the Nevada Ballet Theatre’s dress rehearsal for “The Nutcracker” on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in Las Vegas. (Liv Paggiarino/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
The Flowers dance during the Nevada Ballet Theatre’s dress rehearsal for “The Nutcracker” on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in Las Vegas. (Liv Paggiarino/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Mirella Costa Neto exits the stage after performing as the Sugar Plum Fairy during the Nevada Ballet Theatre’s dress rehearsal for “The Nutcracker” on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in Las Vegas. (Liv Paggiarino/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Children dance in the opening act during the Nevada Ballet Theatre’s dress rehearsal for “The Nutcracker” on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in Las Vegas. (Liv Paggiarino/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
A prop clock sits on stage for the opening act during the Nevada Ballet Theatre’s dress rehearsal for “The Nutcracker” on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in Las Vegas. (Liv Paggiarino/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Mackenna Pieper dances as Coffee during the Nevada Ballet Theatre’s dress rehearsal for “The Nutcracker” on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in Las Vegas. (Liv Paggiarino/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Layers of blue set pieces decorate the stage during the Nevada Ballet Theatre’s dress rehearsal for “The Nutcracker” on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in Las Vegas. (Liv Paggiarino/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Candy Canes perform together during the Nevada Ballet Theatre’s dress rehearsal for “The Nutcracker” on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in Las Vegas. (Liv Paggiarino/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Zachary Brickson performs as Mother Ginger during the Nevada Ballet Theatre’s dress rehearsal for “The Nutcracker” on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in Las Vegas. (Liv Paggiarino/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Christina Ghiardi dances as the Dewdrop amid several Flowers during the Nevada Ballet Theatre’s dress rehearsal for “The Nutcracker” on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in Las Vegas. (Liv Paggiarino/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Uriel Gonzalez and Layla Naldoza wave goodbye as The Nutcracker and Marie during the Nevada Ballet Theatre’s dress rehearsal for “The Nutcracker” on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in Las Vegas. (Liv Paggiarino/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Leo McGrath dances as Tea during the Nevada Ballet Theatre’s dress rehearsal for “The Nutcracker” on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in Las Vegas. (Liv Paggiarino/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Members of the cast practice their final bows during the Nevada Ballet Theatre’s dress rehearsal for “The Nutcracker” on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in Las Vegas. (Liv Paggiarino/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Updated December 13, 2025 - 8:11 am
The Nevada Ballet Theatre will debut its newest performance of “The Nutcracker” on Saturday.
The rendition features George Balanchine’s choreography and costume design inspired by the art deco style of the 1930s. Opening weekend will feature the Las Vegas Philharmonic.
The show runs through Dec. 28.
