Balanchine's Nutcracker makes you believe in Christmas

New York City Ballet in George Balanchine's The Nutcracker

Tiler Peck as the Sugarplum Fairy, with students from SAB in George Balanchine's The Nutcracker

Ashley Hod as Dewdrop in George Balanchine's The Nutcracker

Stella Tomkins and Finlay McCurdy-Van Alstine with students from SAB in The Nutcracker

Lauren Collett as Marzipan George Balanchine's The Nutcracker

By Ivy Lin, 15 December 2024

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“New York City Ballet puts on a stunning 46 performances of George Balanchine’s Nutcracker every year”

Reviewed at Lincoln Center: David H Koch Theater, New York City on 12 December 2024

The Nutcracker (Marius Petipa, Lev Ivanov, George Balanchine)

New York City Ballet

Rouben Ter-Arutunian, Set Designer

Barbara Karinska, Costume Designer

Jean Rosenthal, Lighting Designer

New York City Ballet Orchestra

Tiler Peck, Dancer

Roman Mejia, Dancer

Ashley Hod, Dancer

Lauren Collett, Dancer

Emily Kikta, Dancer

Samuel Melnikov, Dancer

Robert LaFosse, Dancer

Natalia Makarova's La Bayadère: a night to remember in Oslo

Vikki Jane Vile, 17th April

Norwegian National Ballet gives a marvellous rendition of Natalia Makarova's La Bayadère. Opening night in Oslo was a strong argument for its place in any season, displaying ballet escapism at its best.

****1

José Martínez unveils his latest Don Quichotte in Palermo

Vito Lentini, 29th March

José Martínez has envisioned a Don Quichotte that recalls the original 19th century choreography while also acknowledging some of the notable 20th century versions and it's splendid looking.

****1

Dutch National Ballet's reimagined La Bayadère triumphs

Mark Vicente, 26th March

Dutch National Ballet's new production of La Bayadère does away with the ballet’s problematic gestures and movements, allowing the choreography to truly shine.

****1

American Ballet Theatre's double bill is short and sweet in New York

Ivy Lin, 15th March

American Ballet Theatre presents Balanchine's Raymonda: Grand Pas Hongrois and Ratmansky's Firebird which showcases the company well and provides a strong contrast.

****1

Mejia debuts in a sumptuous Sleeping Beauty at New York City Ballet

Carla Escoda, 12th February

Roman Mejia and a raft of soloist debuts galvanized Peter Martins' Sleeping Beauty. An elegant production with some incidental messiness and the structural liability of a princess' dependence on a kiss.

****1

Dutch National Ballet brings much needed heat to this winter season

Mark Vicente, 10th February

The Dutch National Ballet helped shake off those winter blues with a mixed programme that highlighted ballet’s love affair with Latin rhythms and movement.

****1

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Ivy Lin

Ivy Lin's love of ballet began in high school when at the school dance she quickly realized she had two left feet. One always admires things one cannot do, and so Ivy began to attend dance performances to marvel at the grace and beauty of bodies in motion. Ivy's day job is a biology teacher and after a long day in the classroom she loves to unwind by watching dance. She also enjoys theater, opera, pop and classical music. Ivy has her own blog (www.humbledandoverwhelmed,blogspot.com)