Mark Foehringer’s Nutcracker Sweets is the 14^th season of a unique 50-minute version of the Nutcracker specifically designed for families with young children. The production features a live 9-piece chamber orchestra with Keisuke Nakagoshi as the pit conductor, Carlos Venturo as Drosselmeyer, Vincent Chavez as the Nephew/Nutcracker and Theresa Knudson (Ballet 22) performing the role of Clara for the first time. The Tchaikovsky score was re-orchestrated by the late Maestro Michael Morgan of Oakland Symphony Orchestra; set design by Peter Crompton; costume design by Richard Battle; and production and projection design by Frédéric O. Boulay.