Related Features
IMPRESSIONS: "The Brooklyn Nutcracker" starring the Brooklyn Ballet at Kings Theatre
ARTISTS ACTIVATED: Misty Copeland, A Real-Live Disney Princess in "The Nutcracker and The Four Realms," Chisels Away at Ballet Stereotypes
14 Festive Performances & Events Happening In NYC & Beyond
NEW YORK CITY, NY
Performance: "Los Nutcrackers: A Christmas Carajo"
Presented By: BAAD! Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance
Dates: December 6-21, 2019
In A Nutshell: Written by Charles Rice-Gonzalez and directed by Fernando Vieira, this gay, Latino comedic play revolves around Carlos and Gabriel, a couple that has been together for 15 years. Their arguing and fighting has reached the queer heavens from which comes a diva spirit who guides them on a trip through their lives. They travel to the first time they met back in 1978 at a white party at the Palladium dancing, to a catastrophic trip to City Center to see The Nutcracker, to a dinner party with Martha Stewart fanatics, and more. More info.
Performance: "The Nutcracker"
Presented By: Dance Theatre of Harlem School
Dates: December 7-8 and 14-15, 2019
In A Nutshell: Join the Dance Theatre of Harlem School for its annual holiday delight. Hosted by DTH School Director Robert Garland, the show, which sees memorable excerpts from The Nutcracker, is suitable for all ages. More info.
Performance: "The Yorkville Nutcracker"
Presented By: Dances Patrelle
Dates: December 13-15, 2019
In A Nutshell: This year marks the 24th anniversary of "The Yorkville Nutcracker." Set in 1895, the work includes lavish costumes and sets that draw inspiration from Olde New York's beloved landmarks, from Gracie Mansion to the Crystal Palace in the New York Botanical Garden, and skating in Central Park. "The Yorkville Nutcracker" provides an opportunity for young dancers to dance alongside professional artists. Courtesy of New York City Ballet, Abi Stafford will return as the Sugar Plum Fairy with Cavalier, Ask La Cour. More info.
Performance: "The Brooklyn Nutcracker"
Presented By: Brooklyn Ballet
Dates: December 14, 2019 @ 2pm and 7pm
In A Nutshell: The first of its kind, this critically acclaimed production fuses ballet, hip-hop and an array of world dance genres to create a culturally inclusive production that highlights dances and artists from around the globe and artists and students from Brooklyn Ballet. “I’ve been interested in and inspired by Brooklyn’s diverse communities since the inception of Brooklyn Ballet. The Brooklyn Nutcracker is our biggest and brightest work dedicated to the people and place we call home,” explains Lynn Parkerson, Brooklyn Ballet artistic director. More info.
Performance: "Nutcracker Dream"
Presented By: Ballet des Ameriques
Dates: December 15, 21, 22, 28, 2019
In A Nutshell: "Nutcracker Dream," a beautiful interpretation of the beloved holiday classic, is inspired by the work of Marius Petipa and Rudolf Nureyev. Created by world-renowned choreographer Carole Alexis and performed by Westchester’s premier dance company, the hour-long work captures the essence of what the story represents, namely, the beautiful balance between Marie’s childhood playfulness and her coming of age in the midst of her own circle of family and friends. Professional dancers from Ballet des Amériques perform the featured roles of the ballet, while additional roles will be cast by audition among young dancers from the area. More info.
Performance: "Nut/Cracked"
Presented By: The Bang Group
Dates: December 19-20, 2019
In A Nutshell: Fasten your seat belts as The Bang Group's delightfully offbeat "Nut/Cracked" returns for its 17th anniversary season. Parker's witty choreography is totally unpredictable as he whisks together an array of dance forms inspired by competition, intoxication, greed, Chinese take-out, bubble-wrap, toe shoes, and the perils of ice. Musically, the choreographer also takes a playful and wide-ranging approach through many incantations of the beloved Tchaikovsky score, including renderings by Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, and Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians, as well as the traditional orchestral suite. More info.
Performance: "Nutcracker Winter Suite"
Presented By: Valentina Kozlova Dance Conservatory
Dates: December 20-21, 2019
In A Nutshell: Valentina Kozlova's Dance Conservatory dancers, aged 6-18, will perform the family-friendly work to the beloved Tchaikovsky score. The one-hour production is all dance, opening with the Snow Scene and journeying into The Kingdom of Sweets, where all the famous divertissements are performed: Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Waltz of the Flowers, Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier, and more. More info.
Performance: Kwanzaa Market
Presented By: Cumbe: Center for African and Diaspora Dance
Dates: December 22, 2019
In A Nutshell: Cumbe: Center for African and Diaspora Dance is excited to share in the season of giving with its first Kwanzaa Marketplace, an opportunity for the Brooklyn community to gather, share and learn. It’s the first time ever Cumbe is offering the community of Brooklyn a space to not only dance, but to also support the rich culture and creativity of the Diaspora in the form of a marketplace. While vendors will share their wares, toys, elixirs and art, patrons will indulge in a mosaic of activities including dance demonstrations, arts and crafts, gift-making workshops, massages, live music with Batalá NYC and an immersive Kwanzaa learning experience. More info.
Performance: "A Celtic Christmas Story"
Presented By: Brooklyn Irish Dance Company
Dates: December 22, 2019
In A Nutshell: "A Celtic Christmas Story" presents Irish dancers, musicians and singers with intoxicating storytelling and eye-catching choreography. Presented by Brooklyn Irish Dance Company and featuring dancers and musicians from Riverdance, Lord of the Dance, and renowned Broadway shows, this holiday experience will be a night to remember! The production premiered in December 2018 to sold out audiences at the historic Theatre 80. This year, the company returns to New York City, as well as surrounding areas, for a regional holiday tour. More info.
PHILADELPHIA, PA
Performance: "The Tapcracker"
Presented By: The Lady Hoofers Tap Ensemble
Dates: December 14-15, 2019
In A Nutshell: This all-tap, all-women take on "The Nutcracker" is set to the music of Tchaikovsky and Duke Ellington. Be transported to Paris, where an infestation of rats has thrown the city into chaos. Toy soldiers guard the Eiffel Tower, mice wreak havoc in the Metro, and frazzled chefs prepare for a feast at the magical palace of Versailles, featuring characters from the beloved Land of the Sweets. This year’s production stars audience favorites Britney Kennedy as the Queen of Versailles and Tamera Dallam as the Fairy Tapmother, in addition to Youth Ensemble dancers Kennedy Barnes as the Tapcracker, Mia Valeriote as the Mouse Queen, and Emily Bartholf as Clara. More info.
WASHINGTON, DC
Performance: "Kwanzaa Celebration"
Presented By: Dance Place
Dates: December 14-15, 2019
In A Nutshell: Participate in Dance Place’s annual Kwanzaa Celebration, spearheaded by Sylvia Soumah. Gather family and friends to join Coyaba Academy, Coyaba Dance Theater, and special guests to celebrate the seven principles of Kwanzaa. More info.
CLAREMONT, CA
Performance: "The Nutcracker"
Presented By: Inland Pacific Ballet
Dates: December 21-22, 2019
In A Nutshell: Witness Southern California’s most spectacular production of "The Nutcracker"! Running for 25 years now, Inland Pacific Ballet's year-end performance sees 80 dancers on stage starring as toy soldiers, life-sized dancing dolls, battling mice, dancing snowflakes, waltzing flowers, and the delightful Sugar Plum Fairy. Meet the cast after the performance for photos and autographs. More info.
LEXINGTON, KY
Performance: "The Nutcracker"
Presented By: Lexington Ballet Company
Dates: December 14, 2019
In A Nutshell: Lexington Ballet Company's "The Nutcracker" marches back onto the EKU Center stage this holiday season. Join Marie on a magical journey with the Sugar Plum Fairy, waltzing flowers, the Snow Queen, and, of course, the Nutcracker Prince as they battle the Mouse King and travel to the Land of Sweets. Lexington Ballet performs this beautiful masterpiece under the artistic direction of Luis Dominguez. More info.
EVANSTON, IL
Performance: “Duke It Out Nutcracker"
Presented By: Dance Chicago
Dates: December 7, 2019
In A Nutshell: Curated by Dance Chicago, this performance pairs the classical (Tchaikovsky) and jazz (Duke Ellington/Billy Strayhorn) versions of the holiday favorite, and is performed by professional brass and woodwind quintets. In tribute to Dance Chicago’s 25th anniversary, the Music Institute is featuring new material this year, including “Chocolate (Spanish Dance).” The performance is a family-friendly 60 minutes. More info.
