In the midst of the holiday season, delight in New York City Ballet’s presentation of The Nutcracker, choreographed by George Balanchine. LIVE FROM LINCOLN CENTER’s premiere of this beloved holiday favorite “George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker" airs Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at 8 p.m. Set to Tchaikovsky’s glorious score, “George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker,” from the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center, features New York City Ballet’s dancers and the New York City Ballet Orchestra, as well as 50 children from the School of American Ballet, the official school of New York City Ballet (NYCB). In addition to Balanchine’s choreography, the seminal work also features scenery by Rouben Ter-Arutunian, costumes by Karinska and lighting by Mark Stanley, after the original design by Ronald Bates.
Balanchine’s renowned production, which premiered on February 2, 1954, at the City Center of Music and Drama in New York, helped to establish The Nutcracker and its score as perennial favorites in the United States, evident by the now countless versions of the ballet performed all over the country. NYCB’s acclaimed production is seen by more than 100,000 people annually and has been performed more than 2,000 times.
For the LIVE FROM LINCOLN CENTER broadcast, the ballet will be viewed from a variety of perspectives, with eight different camera locations capturing the action, taking television viewers inside the ballet for a uniquely rich experience.
New York City Ballet is one of the foremost dance companies in the world, with a roster of spectacular dancers and an unparalleled repertory. Now under the artistic direction of Ballet Master in Chief Peter Martins, the company was founded in 1948 by legendary choreographer Balanchine and arts patron Lincoln Kirstein, and quickly became renowned for its athletic, contemporary style, which revolutionized the ballet world. The company has also been home to Jerome Robbins, who made more than 50 works for NYCB, as well as to countless other choreographers, composers, dancers and musicians. Widely acknowledged for its enduring contributions to dance, NYCB is committed to promoting creative excellence and nurturing a new generation of dancers and choreographers.
