It’s that “most wonderful” time of year again, time to listen to Tchaikovsky’s glorious score and watch lovely dancers all around the city interpret E. T. A. Hoffman’s story as we settle in to the holiday season. Here in New York City, the dance capital of the world, we are lucky to have a myriad of wonderful Nutcrackers to enjoy, running the gamut of funky to ethereal, and risqué to toddler-friendly. Here are some Nutcrackers to look for.
American Ballet Theatre returns to BAM for the last season of its gorgeous Nutcracker. Alexei Ratmansky’s choreography interprets Tchaikovsky’s music with musicality and comedy, the ABT dancers’ extraordinary acrobatic technique thrills the audience and the vivid costumes and sets designed by Tony® winner Richard Hudson are dazzling. The New York Times calls it a “production like no other.” With ticket prices starting at $25.00 this is a true holiday treat.
Dec 7th through Dec 16th, at the Peter Jay Sharp Building, BAM Howard Gilman Opera House. Ages 5 and up.
From the New York City Ballet, Balanchine’s exquisite Nutcracker never fails to enchant us with its Christmas tree growing from the floor, snow falling on the dancers, and Clara setting out on a magical mystery tour in her bed. This huge production uses students from the School of American Ballet to augment the entire New York City Ballet company – but don’t look for Tiler Peck who is at the Kennedy Center with The Little Dancer, her husband, Robert Fairchild, who is dancing his heart out in An American In Paris on Broadway, or his sister Megan Fairchild who is over at On The Town.
November 28th through January 3rd at Lincoln Center.
WestView’s own Keith Michael has been choreographing The Nutcracker for Diana Byer’s New York Theatre Ballet since 1985. Revamped in 2011 to the Art Nouveau period, with scenery by Gillian Bradshaw-Smith and costumes by Sylvia Taalsohn Nolan, Mr. Michael’s musical and inventive choreography is appealing to all ages.
December 19th through December 21st, at the Florence Gould Hall.
Rebecca Kelly Ballet hosts an intimate Nutcracker Highlights at the RKB loft on Broadway and Prince. Ideal for the younger crowd who may not be able to sit through the entire (and sometimes scary) Nutcracker story, and especially appealing for the serious young dancer in your family, the intimacy of this 45 minute performance lets the audience truly enter into the world of the dancer. Afterwards dancers mingle with the audience, and Friday’s show is followed by a champagne reception, Saturday’s by a “Tray of Sweets.”
Friday December 5th at 7pm, Saturday December 6th at 4pm, reservations required. Call 212-431-8489 (1pm-5pm)
In Greenwich Village the Joffrey Ballet School presents its version of The Nutcracker with choreography by associate executive director, Davis Robertson and additional choreography by Cameron Basden. The charm and freshness of this full-length student production will entrance your young ones, who can imagine themselves onstage as Clara or the Prince next year.
Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, Friday December 12th through Sunday December 14th.
Up in Washington Heights The Hip-Hop Nutcracker, choreographed by Jennifer Weber to a remixed Tchaikovsky score, is at the magnificently renovated United Palace of Cultural Arts, originally designed by Thomas Lamb and the last of the “Wonder Theatres”. Using digital scenery the cast of twelve all-star hip-hop dancers, joined by guest MC Kurtis Blow, brings the story of The Nutcracker to a contemporary urban setting.
One night only: December 7th, United Palace at Broadway and 175th Street.
Dances Patrelle’s The Yorkville Nutcracker is set in New York’s Upper East Side of 1895, where the party takes place in Gracie Mansion. Performed by students from Ballet Academy East, joined by guest NYCB stars Abi Stafford and Adrian Danchig-Waring, this production is at the Kaye Playhouse December 4th to December 7th.
For Adults Only – Company XIV’s Baroque-Burlesque Nutcracker Rouge comes to XIV’s theatre-lounge on Lafayette Street. Conceived, choreographed and directed by Juilliard-trained Austin McCormick, this decadent fusion of theatre, circus, dance, comedy, striptease and opera follows Clara’s awakening to sensual discovery in the Kingdom of Sweets.
November 20th through January 4th at XIV, 428 Lafayette St. 21 and over.
