Ballet Arizona Scrambles to Replace Phoenix Symphony for 'The Nutcracker' Run

Ballet Arizona is working to secure live music for its December 11-27 run of "The Nutcracker" after the Phoenix Symphony suspended its 2026-27 season, the company's executive director said. The production generates 75% of Ballet Arizona's performance-related revenue, according to azcentral.

Ballet Arizona's Search for a Nutcracker Orchestra

Ballet Arizona has relied on the Phoenix Symphony for live accompaniment at Symphony Hall, and the symphony's open-ended suspension leaves no guarantee its musicians will return for Tchaikovsky's score in December. Unpaid layoffs of the symphony's 66 musicians take effect Monday, November 2, after a Sunday performance of "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl in Concert."

"We are working diligently to secure live music and we feel 99% confident that we will be able to have musicians in the pit," executive director Jami Kozemczak said. She said the company hopes to announce its course within the next week.

Kozemczak said the company is also working to secure live music for "Don Quixote," a world premiere by artistic director Daniella Cardin scheduled for February 11-14, 2027, at Symphony Hall. The two organizations have collaborated since the early 2000s, when they first performed Ib Andersen's "Romeo and Juliet" together; their most recent collaboration, Andersen's "Romeo & Juliet," ran October 22-25.

Kozemczak cited a 2016 decision to cut live music from "The Nutcracker" as a cautionary example. She said ticket sales for that year's production fell well short of goals, and the following February show also missed its revenue targets because patrons believed the whole season lacked live music. The lost ticket revenue was double the savings, she said, and the company later imposed small staff furloughs to rebalance its budget.

Ballet Arizona's Record and the Symphony's Deficit

According to akta.pro company records, Ballet Arizona was founded in 1986 and is marking its 40th anniversary season in 2026-2027. The company has 34 dancers under Cardin, who became artistic director on July 1, 2024, succeeding Ib Andersen after his 24-year tenure. The records list the Phoenix Symphony as an ongoing partner for live orchestral accompaniment of "The Nutcracker," "Romeo & Juliet" and "Don Quixote" at Symphony Hall.

The Phoenix Symphony's board announced the season suspension on October 20, saying the organization lacked the financial resources to continue. The board and management have pointed to a $60 million CRESCENDO fundraising and endowment campaign launched in 2025 and to reductions in administrative costs.

Nutcracker Anniversary and Community Response

This season marks the 20th anniversary of Andersen's "Nutcracker," which Ballet Arizona has produced since 2006. Kozemczak said at least two patrons have requested refunds since the suspension was announced, and she has called both back. She said she would process refunds if live music cannot be secured.

Phoenix Symphony ticket holders have another option: Scottsdale Philharmonic is offering eligible holders credit of up to 100% of the cost of impacted performances toward its own season tickets, PRLog reported on October 28.