It’s Christmas in New York, and as fall turned to winter it looked like things were going to be festive in a way they hadn't been since 2019. One sign of new life was the return of The Nutcracker, in George Ballanchine’s classic production, performed by the dancers and orchestra of the New York City Ballet as it has been (almost) every year since 1954. Despite new safety protocols and re-workings, the show was as magnificent as always and brought a little holiday magic back to midtown (at least for a few weeks). 

Featured in this Episode 

• Lincoln Center / New York City Ballet
• https://www.lincolncenter.org
• https://www.nycballet.com/
• @lincolncenter @nycballet, @sab_nyc


• Jonathan Stafford, Artistic Director
• https://www.nycballet.com/about-us/board-and-staff/artistic-staff/jonathan-stafford/
• @jonathanstafford_nycb


• Unity Phelan, Principal, New York City Ballet
• https://www.nycballet.com/discover/meet-our-dancers/principal-dancers/unity-phelan/
• @unityphelan

Resources/More Information:

• https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/16/arts/dance/nutcracker-costumes-new-york-city-ballet.html
• https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/07/arts/dance/new-york-city-ballet-promotions.html
• https://www.bloombergquint.com/pursuits/nyc-ranks-first-on-holiday-travel-this-christmas-promising-recovery
• https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/11/08/ballet-is-back-but-all-is-not-as-i