The Golden State Ballet Company brings the popular show to San Diego with the help of over 100 onboard staff bringing the seven shows to life.

“We have the incredible tradition of the Nutcracker parties,” said Golden State Ballet artistic director Raul Salamanca.

“So we started the rehearsals in September with the kids and the company started working in October, so it takes about 10 weeks for the company to be ready and about 12 to 13 weeks for the students, so you’re talking about a 3 month period just to be ready to go, ”Salamanca said.

Saturday’s inauguration comes after a two-day delay due to a positive COVID-19 test within the company.

“We unfortunately had a positive Covid test result on Thursday morning and have decided to put the brakes on performance for now, delaying the opening until today. Behind the scenes, as you see people moving around, they have all masks and only on stage can they take those masks off. We test and of course sanitize the backstage as we can, “Golden State Ballet executive director Magda O’Neill said.

However, the Golden State Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” was not the only event to be delayed or canceled. A wave of event cancellations occurred on Saturday due to the increase in COVID-19 cases.

Saturday Night Live did not have a studio audience due to the latest increase in the number of cases, and Radio City Music Hall has canceled other “Christmas Spectacular” shows for this season.

Many public health experts urge people to keep safety in mind, but also say indoor events can be held safely.

“I also think that at the same time we have to go on with our lives [and] we have to use the tools that work. The vaccinations work, the boosters if you’re eligible and the masks to limit transmission, but we need interaction with each other as humans, so there has to be a middle way, ”said the Dr Christian Ramers on infectious diseases.

Golden State Ballet staff have numerous security protocols in place, including mandatory masking and proof of vaccination as well as other security measures.

The play has seven live performances, ending on December 23.