Is the New York City Ballet Doing the Nutcracker This Year?

Ballet

The New York City Ballet is one of the world’s preeminent dance companies, and its annual production of The Nutcracker is a beloved tradition for many. However, due to the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic, the NYCB has had to make significant changes to its upcoming season.

The company recently announced that it will not be staging a traditional production of The Nutcracker this year. Instead, NYCB will present a virtual version of the holiday classic.

The performance will feature students from the School of American Ballet (SAB), along with some of the company’s professional dancers. It will be available for streaming on December 21st, 2020.

The virtual performance will include some classic elements of The Nutcracker, such as Tchaikovsky’s beloved score and iconic choreography by George Balanchine. However, it has been re-imagined and adapted to fit within the safety restrictions imposed by the pandemic.

For example, there will be no live audience or orchestra in attendance – instead, recorded music will be used. In addition, all rehearsals and filming have been conducted with strict social distancing protocols in place.

These changes have allowed NYCB to bring some joy and delight to their audiences this holiday season – albeit in a different form than usual. It also serves as a testament to the creativity and resilience of artists in these difficult times.

While it may not be quite like seeing a traditional performance at Lincoln Center, this virtual version of The Nutcracker still promises to be a magical experience for viewers around the world.

In conclusion, it can be said that while The New York City Ballet is not staging their traditional production of The Nutcracker this year due to COVID-19 restrictions, they are still providing an enjoyable alternative through their virtual performance featuring students from SAB and their professional dancers on December 21st 2020.