Lining Up for The Nutcracker

When The Nutcracker premiered in Russia in 1892, it was arguably a flop. Mixed reviews picked apart the casting, scene transitions, choreography and even Tchaikovsky’s score. By the 1960s, it gained popularity in the United States, largely due to New York City Ballet (NYCB)’s iteration of the ballet, choreographed by George Balanchine. Today, The Nutcracker is often viewed as the quintessential story of wonderment and holiday cheer.

Whether watching the story unfold on stage or screen; whether it is being told through the movement of pointe shoes or the mouths of puppets, it has become a holiday tradition. Companies present various iterations annually, and families line up to see them time and again.  The families lining up from Westchester don’t need to go into New York City to enjoy this holiday staple. Film house screenings, live dance productions, a marionette show and family-friendly adaptations throughout the County are all on the calendar for December.

The Picture House presents a live performance, along with a screening of NYCB’s classic production on Dec. 8 while a pre-recorded broadcast of the Royal Ballet’s production choreographed by Rudolph Nureyev will play on screens at Bedford Playhouse (Dec. 15) and Jacob Burns Film Center (Dec. 23). Live balletic performances include Central Park Dance at The Capitol Theatre (Dec. 15) and New York Theatre Ballet at Tarrytown Music Hall (Dec. 22).

Adaptations introduce audiences to Ce Ce, who needs help believing in the magic of the holidays (Revelators Dance Troupe’s Ce Ce’s Hot Chocolate ‘Nutcracker’, Dec. 6-8) and Marie in Ballet des Amériques’ Nutcracker Dream adaptation at Emelin Theatre (Dec. 15-28). Salzburg Marionette Theatre tells the famous Nutcracker tale via puppets, complete with costume and set design, on Dec. 8. It is presented by Smart Arts at Westchester Community College. According to Paula Rubenstein of Smart Arts’ Coordinator of Cultural Affairs, “any artistic mode through which [The Nutcracker] is rendered is a testament to the richness of the storyline and the depth to which it can inspire other different artistic genres… it taps into wondrousness that humans seek.”

A version of this article first appeared in the December-January issue of ArtsNews, ArtsWestchester’s monthly publication. ArtsNews is distributed throughout Westchester County. A digital copy is also available at artsw.org/artsnews.