This magical 1954 production, set to Tchaikovsky's incredible score, includes the full New York City Ballet company and two casts of School of American Ballet students, as well as an onstage blizzard and a Christmas tree that grows from 12 to 40 feet. In the end, however, Balanchine's choreography is what holds it all together. It's enchanting.
There's more than one way to crack a nut! December in New York abounds with opportunities to see The Nutcracker ballet, which for dance fans is always among the best Christmas shows around. After a year off for the pandemic, most of the biggest Nutcracker options are returning in 2021, including New York City Ballet’s iconic Balanchine production and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular (which includes a number devoted to the Nutcracker story). Here are this year's ways to get your sugarplum fix.
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