New York City Ballet
David H. Koch Theater, 20 Lincoln Center Plaza; 212-496-0600.
Towering trees, onstage blizzards, and pretty ballerinas. Why mess with the success of the late, great choreographer George Balanchine? This one sets the standard.
• Dates: Friday, November 23–Sunday, December 30: Days and times vary, see website for schedule.
• Price: $90–$185
New York Theatre Ballet
Florence Gould Hall, 55 E. 59th St., nr. Park Ave.; 212-355-6160.
A streamlined one-hour version that’s been known to attract celebrity moms like Marcia Gay Harden and Sarah Jessica Parker.
• Dates: Friday, December 14, 6 p.m.; Saturday, December 15–Sunday, December 16: 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3:30 p.m.
• Price: $27, $15 for kids 12 and under (price includes $1 facility fee)
Dances Patrelle: The Yorkville Nutcracker
Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College, 695 Park Ave., nr. 68th St.; 212-772-4448.
The Sugar Plum Fairy alights in 1890s Manhattan for a history lesson en pointe.
• Dates: Thursday, December 6–Friday, December 7, 7 p.m.; Saturday, December 8, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Sunday, December 9, 12 p.m. and 5 p.m.
• Price: $65
Moscow Ballet
King Theatre, 1027 Flatbush Ave, nr. Tilden Ave.; 800-745-3000.
As part of their 26th anniversary North American tour, the Moscow Ballet will bring a truly grand production to Brooklyn for a single day. It will be accompanied by the classic Tchaikovsky score and backdrops designed by Carl Sprague, set concept designer for La La Land.
• Dates: Saturday, December 8, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
• Price: General admission, $32–$125 (senior and military discount at door)
Company XIV: Nutcracker Rouge
Company XIV, 383 Troutman St., nr. Wyckoff Ave.
Austin McCormick brings a bawdier Nutcracker to the stage with a blend of cabaret, Baroque dance, circus and theater, all doused in glitter with lavish set designs.
• Dates: Friday, November 9–Sunday, January 13; days and times vary, see website for details.
• Price: $65–$105
BAM and Mark Morris Dance Group present: The Hard Nut
BAM Howard Gilman Opera House at Peter Jay Sharp Building, 30 Lafayette Ave., nr. St. Felix St.; 718-636-4100
This retelling of E.T.A. Hoffman’s original tale uses backdrops inspired by comic book artist Charles Burns and gender-bending costumes, matched with Tchaikovsky’s score, for a spirited and vivacious performance from the Mark Morris Dance Group.
• Dates: Friday, December 14–Sunday, December 23; Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 3 p.m.
• Price: $35–$125
The Hip-Hop Nutcracker
Kings Theater, 1027 Flatbush Ave., nr. Tilden Ave.
This lively touring production pairs the original Nutcracker score with hip-hop choreography and a modern-day New York City setting, all accompanied by an electric violinist and on-stage DJ.
• Dates: Sunday, December 23, 6 p.m.
• Price: $30–$80