Whether you live in New York City or Dallas, “The Nutcracker” is both a cherished holiday experience for families and an important source of financial support for ballet companies everywhere.
But it was George Balanchine’s staging of the holiday tale for New York City Ballet in 1954 that would solidify the ballet as an American tradition.
From a Christmas tree that grows on stage to 41 feet tall, to his visionary inclusion of children at the front and center of the production, Balanchine saw “The Nutcracker” as a holiday gift to kids young and old.
I mean, the one thing that we look forward to, the one thing that that we give every year.
At NYCB, only children over the age of 12 will dance this year, though unvaccinated audience members under 12 will be allowed to attend with proof of a negative PCR test .
Even Balanchine’s classic is seeing updates this year: Pacific Northwest Ballet has introduced a new character, Green Tea Cricket, to replace stereotypes of Chinese culture that were once part of the second act.
What if you could step right into the world of Marie and her magical Christmas gift? Island Moving Company in Rhode Island presents an interactive experience through their site-specific performances of “A Newport Nutcracker at Rosecliff.” The production, which invites audience members to move through the rooms of the 1902 mansion, went digital in 2020 with Through Her Eyes: A Newport Nutcracker Reimagined, a 30-minute film co-produced by WSBE Rhode Island PBS.
“Tchaikovsky’s original music isn’t the only way to experience “The Nutcracker.” In 1960, Duke Ellington recorded “The Nutcracker Suite,” an album featuring jazz interpretations of Tchaikovsky’s original score.
Taking an even more radical approach to the source material, “Hip Hop Nutcracker” pairs Tchaikovsky’s music with contemporary hip hop choreography to create an exciting holiday event that is touring nationally.
Hoffman’s story of Marie, the young girl with a Christmas Nutcracker that comes to life and takes her on an adventure through a magical kingdom, is expanded even further in the PBS presentation of “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King.” Premiering nationally on Dec.
If you are hurting, needing comfort or are curious to learn, videos are available for streaming.