The Nutcracker Finds its Place Through Streaming This Year

By Olivia Haveron

Since premiering on February 2nd, 1954 at the City Center in New York City, George Balanchine’s production of the Tchaikovsky ballet The Nutcracker has taken over the stage as a holiday classic for young and old alike. The annual performance helped establish the ballet as a favorite in the United States.

However, for the first time in over 65 years, the 2020 season for the treasured ballet has been cancelled due to the ongoing Coronavirus Pandemic that has been ravishing the world since the beginning of the year.

Yet all is not lost and the show must go on! For the upcoming holiday season the New York City Ballet will team up with Marquee TV and bring The Nutcracker to the screen in a special screening event available from December 11, 2020 through January 3, 2021 on Marquee TV. Tickets will start at $25 and can be found at marquee.tv/nycbnutcracker.

Filmed live at David H. Koch Theater at the Lincoln during 2019 holiday season production. The footage will also be used in the upcoming Disney Plus series On Pointe. The cast includes NYCB principals Maria Kowrowski as the Sugarplum Fairy, Tyler Angle as Her Cavalier, Megan Fairchild as Dewdrop. Other cast members include Sophie Thomoulos, Adam Hendrickson, and so many other talented members. In addition, the ensembles includes dancers from the NYCB and the School of American Ballet, with the 62-piece New York City Ballet Orchestra conducted by music director Andrew Litton.

Kathleya Afanador, co-founder of Marquee TV and Head of Content commented on the stream stating: “The past nine months have certainly put the Marquee TV platform to the test. We've seen an incredible amount of growth and a humbling level of trust from our partners in the arts field, most of whom have had to quickly and drastically change the course of their 20-21 seasons.”

Of course, no one expected the last nine months to be so drastic and chaotic and it has had a major impact on the world of the arts. Even though we can’t see these performances in person we can take these cherish productions, such as The Nutcracker, and bring them to the screen.

Katherine Brown, Executive Director of the NYCB, goes onto explain the importance of ballet on the younger generations stating “George Balanchine's The Nutcracker provide a vital introduction to ballet for countless children who attend performances with their families, or attend special matinees for students from New York City's public schools.”

The New York City Ballet’s production of Balanchine’s The Nutcracker has become a treasured classic for the whole world and a staple during the holiday season. Even though COVID has taken control of our lives, the holiday season should not be ruined by a global pandemic (if handled safely). The Nutcracker will bring a hint of joy into a year that has been not so joyful, for even less than going in person and in the comfort and safety of your own home.