American Ballet Theatre's Like Water for Chocolate

Overview

With Pacific Symphony

“Having Christopher and his team transform my story into a ballet is truly magical for me. It was a great pleasure to have them visit Mexico for extensive research and to develop the scenario together. I am amazed at how Christopher can translate deep emotions into movement, and I can’t wait to see this wonderful creative adventure unfold.” - Author Laura Esquivel

Nothing could be sweeter than the U.S. Premiere of Like Water for Chocolate for American Ballet Theatre’s Spring engagement at Segerstrom Center for the Arts. This full-length ballet created by the brilliant choreographer Christopher Wheeldon brings the famous novel by Laura Esquivel to mouth-watering life.

Reuniting the award-winning team of Wheeldon (fresh from his Tony Award victory for MJ: The Musical) with composer Joby Talbot, and Tony-winning costume designer Bob Crowley, you’ll journey into the captivating family saga where the central character’s emotions spill out through cooking to influence everyone around her in startling and dramatic ways. Like Water for Chocolate tells the story of Tita, a young Mexican woman whose restrictive upbringing prevents her from marrying until her mother dies. Overwhelmed by a sense of duty and family tradition, Tita’s only form of expression is through cooking, but her life takes an unexpected turn when she falls in love with her wealthy neighbor Pedro. Their forbidden passion has far-reaching—and devastating—consequences.

With the superstar dancers of ABT translating the richly layered story, Center audiences will be the 1st in the country to experience this magical Mexican love story!

VIP Sweet Seats
Indulge in an incredible night of chocolate, bubbly, and ballet! Along with prime Orchestra seating, your VIP Sweet Seat ticket also includes a luxurious chocolate sampler from Laderach, a glass of champagne during the performance, and a voucher for a decadent white chocolate dessert at the Silver Trumpet Restaurant and Bar. A limited number of exclusive Sweet Seats are available for the Thursday – Sunday performances of Like Water for Chocolate.

Elevate your Like Water for Chocolate experience
Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel is offering special accommodations rate for guests attending the ballet. From Thursday, March 30 – Monday, April 3rd, Center attendees can enjoy a special 15% off the guestroom rate as well as complimentary overnight parking for one vehicle. For more information and to make reservations, click here.

Casting for Like Water for Chocolate

Wednesday, March 29 at 7:30 p.m. – Cassandra Trenary* (Tita), Herman Cornejo* (Pedro),  Christine Shevchenko* (Elena), Hee Seo* (Rosaura),  Catherine Hurlin* (Gertrudis), Cory Stearns* (Dr. John Brown) 

Thursday, March 30 at 7:30 p.m. – SunMi Park* (Tita), Daniel Camargo* (Pedro), Zhong-Jing Fang* (Elena), Chloe Misseldine* (Rosaura), Skylar Brandt* (Gertrudis), Calvin Royal III* (Dr. John Brown) 

Friday, March 31 at 7:30 p.m. – Cassandra Trenary (Tita), Herman Cornejo (Pedro), Christine Shevchenko (Elena), Hee Seo (Rosaura), Catherine Hurlin (Gertrudis), Cory Stearns (Dr. John Brown) 

Saturday Matinee, April 1 at 2:00 p.m. – Devon Teuscher* (Tita), Joo Won Ahn* (Pedro), Christine Shevchenko (Elena), Betsy McBride* (Rosaura), Catherine Hurlin (Gertrudis), Thomas Forster* (Dr. John Brown)  

Saturday Evening, April 1 at 7:30 p.m. – SunMi Park (Tita), Daniel Camargo (Pedro), Zhong-Jing Fang (Elena), Chloe Misseldine (Rosaura), Skylar Brandt (Gertrudis), Calvin Royal III (Dr. John Brown) 

Sunday Matinee, April 2 at 2:00 p.m. – Cassandra Trenary (Tita), Herman Cornejo (Pedro), Christine Shevchenko (Elena), Hee Seo (Rosaura), Catherine Hurlin (Gertrudis), Cory Stearns (Dr. John Brown) 

*Debut in the role 

ABT's Like Water for Chocolate digital program: Read cast bios, performance info and even exclusive stories that you can only find in our house program.