Nutcracker Ballet Tokyo: Clara’s Choice 2026
Aug 02, 2026 at 6:00pm ~ Aug 02, 2026 at 8:30pm
ABC-TOKYO presents Rio Mitani’s family-led reinterpretation at Meguro Persimmon Hall on Aug. 2, 2026
ABC-TOKYO Ballet Company presents “The Nutcracker: Clara’s Choice” at Meguro Persimmon Hall on Aug. 2, 2026.
Choreographer Rio Mitani reworks the familiar ballet around Clara’s search for hope. The 90-minute performance begins at 6:30pm and includes an intermission.
Tickets cost ¥2,900.
A Family Cast Leads the Tokyo Nutcracker Ballet
“The Nutcracker: Clara’s Choice” brings Mitani’s own family into the production.
Her daughter, Manna Mitani-Martinu, performs as Clara. Her husband, Christian Martinu, appears as the mysterious Drosselmeyer.
Christian joined the Vienna State Opera Ballet in 1980. He later developed a career as a dancer, choreographer, ballet master.
Students and professional faculty members from the Austrian Ballet School complete the cast. Kota Shichiku dances the Mouse King, while Yuri Satoh appears as Clara’s mother, Ms. Stahlbaum.
How “Clara’s Choice” Changes the Original Story
Mitani’s version places greater focus on Clara’s home life and emotional growth.
Clara grows up in a cold household with a distant mother. She struggles to find warmth or encouragement from the adults around her.
Her outlook changes when she notices hope in an ordinary Nutcracker doll. The discovery leads her into a world of danger, adventure and transformation.
Clara eventually reaches the Kingdom of Hope. Instead of escaping her problems, she becomes its Envoy of Hope.
The production asks what young people should do when adults stop believing in change. Its answer centers on courage, imagination and responsibility.
ABC-TOKYO and the Austrian Ballet School
Rio Mitani and Christian Martinu founded ABC-TOKYO Ballet Company in 2004. They established the Austrian Ballet School in 2009.
Christian received the Best Teacher award at the NBA National Ballet Competition in 2012. Rio has also received teaching awards for preparing competition winners.
The school’s former students have joined companies across Europe, North America and Asia. Alumni placements include English National Ballet, New York City Ballet and the National Ballet of Canada.
Ballet Tickets Supporting Young Dancers
The organizer states that ticket proceeds will support scholarships for young ballet students.
ABC-TOKYO’s scholarship fund assists students who need financial support to continue their training. The program is designed for committed dancers pursuing further ballet education.
Tickets can be requested through the official ABC-TOKYO performance page.
Getting to Meguro Persimmon Hall
Meguro Persimmon Hall is a 7-minute walk from Toritsu-daigaku Station. The station is served by local trains on the Tokyu Toyoko Line.
The journey takes about 10 minutes from Shibuya Station. From Yokohama Station, allow about 20 minutes with a transfer at Jiyugaoka Station.
The venue has 25 shared parking spaces. Parking costs ¥100 per 20 minutes, and reservations are unavailable.
The hall recommends public transportation because spaces are limited.
Event Information
Event: “The Nutcracker: Clara’s Choice”
Date: Aug. 2, 2026
Start time: 6:30pm
Duration: 90 minutes, including an intermission
Venue: Meguro Persimmon Hall
Address: 1-1-1 Yakumo, Meguro-ku
Price: ¥2,900
Nearest station: Toritsu-daigaku Station
Booking: ABC-TOKYO official ticket form
Venue access: Meguro Persimmon Hall directions
More Dance and Performing Arts in Tokyo
Read the Metropolis guide to spring theater, ballet and classical performances in Tokyo.
See the program for Hibiya Festival 2026, which features theater, music, ballet and outdoor performances.
For another interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s ballet, read about the National Ballet of Japan’s “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King”.
Information
Start: Aug 2nd 2026 at 6:00pm
End: Aug 2nd 2026 at 8:30pm
Meguro Persimmon Hall (Tokyo, Meguro-ku, Yakumo 1-1-1)
Meguro Persimmon Hall (Tokyo, Meguro-ku, Yakumo 1-1-1), Tokyo
¥2,900
