How do you like your sugar plums? Shaken or stirred? (Just kidding.) But really, have your Nutcracker any which way this weekend with these six standout performances. —
Ballet
for Young Audiences uses the traditional Tchaikovsky score in a one-hour show at LaGuardia Community College. (Friday-Saturday)
Ages four and older will adore the American
Ballet Theatre production at the BAM Howard Gilman Opera House. Live orchestra! (Friday-Sunday)
The
NYC-themed Manhattan Youth Ballet’s Knickerbocker
Suite takes the classic to a local level of cool. Head to Manhattan Movement & Arts Center to check it out. (Friday-Sunday)
George Balanchine’s version by The New York City Ballet at Lincoln Center
is as traditional (and exquisite) as they come. (Friday-Sunday)
A contemporary take (think hip hop and modern dance) by Peridance
Capezio Center is sure to inspire living room pirouettes, or shall we say break dancing? (Saturday-Sunday)
The New York Theatre Ballet puts an Art Nouveau spin on traditional ballet beauty with new costumes and choreography that is sure to please even the shortest of attention spans. (Saturday-Sunday)
Photo credit: Paul Kolnick/New York City Ballet