In the Season 2 premiere of Company Secrets: The Nutcracker Paradox, Jared Redick sits down with the fantastic choreographer Val Caniparoli, whose five different Nutcracker productions, created for companies across the U.S. and abroad, give him an unmatched perspective on ballet’s biggest holiday tradition.

With over 50 years at San Francisco Ballet and more than 200 ballets to his name, Val shares how he approaches reinventing a story that must remain both financially essential and artistically alive. He talks about the pressures of creating a production that returns year after year, the importance of community and tradition, and why Act I is the most challenging part of the ballet. Jared and Val also dive into the Christensen brothers’ historic legacy, the balance between innovation and audience expectations, and how subtle updates can keep Nutcracker relevant for today’s families.

Along the way, Val offers insight, humor, and a rare behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to make a holiday classic feel fresh, without breaking what already works.

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