The annual Nutcracker season is upon us and with many theatres closed and ballet companies working at reduced capacity, you may be wondering how to get your fix of Soldiers, Snow, and Sugarplums.
The good news is that several companies are offering this traditional holiday production – or some variation of it – in other formats: online streaming, television broadcasts, and cinema showings.
The Nutcracker Online Performances 2020 list below focuses on just those that are available to a broader, global audience.
To find all Nutcracker performances – whether they be in-person, on the big screen, broadcasting on your local television channel, or online – plus information about the plot, the characters, and a Nutcracker playlist check out our dedicated Nutcracker page.
And why not play our Nutcracker Quiz to test your knowledge about one of our favorite ballets?!
In the list below, those with a ❆ snowflake icon ❆ we will or we have reviewed; these can be read directly below the accompanying performance information.
Please note that not all of these online performances are necessarily “The Nutcracker” as we are familiar with as many companies have adapted their traditional annual production in order to accommodate physical distance restrictions and/or to better suit a digital experience.
Although all of the buttons below each event say “TICKETS”, some of the companies are actually offering their productions at no cost; but they often require registration, so be sure to still click through to make sure you don’t miss a show!
Nutcracker Online Performances 2020
- American Ballet Theatre: The Nutcracker
- ● Atlanta Ballet: The Nutcracker On-Demand
- Ballet Arizona: Nutcracker Suite
- ● Ballet Austin: The Nutcracker "Home for the Holidays"
- BalletCollective: The Nutcracker at Wethersfield
- BalletMet: A Nutcracker Holiday
- Ballet West: The Nutcracker
- ● Birmingham Royal Ballet: The Nutcracker at The REP
- Boston Ballet: The Gift
- Boston Ballet: The Nutcracker
- ● Cincinnati Ballet: The Nutcracker at Home
- ● Colorado Ballet: The Nutcracker
- ● English National Ballet: Nutcracker Delights
- Grand Rapids Ballet: The Nutcracker Experience
- ● Houston Ballet: Nutcracker Sweets
- New York City Ballet: The Nutcracker
- ● Orlando Ballet: The Nutcracker
- ● Pacific Northwest Ballet: The Nutcracker
- Pittsburgh Ballet: Fireside Nutcracker
- ● Royal Winnipeg Ballet: The Nutcracker Suite
- San Francisco Ballet: Nutcracker Online
- Scottish Ballet: The Secret Theatre
- ● The National Ballet of Canada: The Nutcracker
- ● The Washington Ballet: The Nutcracker Virtual Experience
AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE: THE NUTCRACKER
December 4-31, 2020
- November 2020 @ New York City’s Highline Hotel
- Choreographer: Alexei Ratmansky
Cast
- Clara, The Princess: Isabella Boylston
- Nutcracker, The Prince: James Whiteside
✧ American Ballet Theatre Nutcracker Review
The Grand Pas de Deux excerpt from Alexei Ratmansky’s The Nutcracker that American Ballet Theatre traditionally performs at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in California, is a special filming sponsored by LG. It is jam-packed with challenging and quick-paced choreography, especially in the pas de deux. To note is that for the first time in Ratmansky’s staging, the female variation includes Lev Ivanov’s 1892 original choreography.
This 10-minute free performance is a gift from America’s National Ballet Company and a wonderful way to get into the holiday spirit.
ATLANTA BALLET: THE NUTCRACKER ON-DEMAND
November 25 – December 27, 2020
BALLET ARIZONA: NUTCRACKER SUITE
December 12 & 19, 2020
- December 2020 @ Dorrance Theatre
- Choreographer: Ib Andersen
Cast
- Snow Queen: Rochelle Anvik
- Snow King: Ethan Price
- Sugar Plum Fairy: Tiffany Chatfield
- Her Cavalier: Luis Corrales
- Dew Drop: Rochelle Anvik
✧ Ballet Arizona Nutcracker Suite Review
This unique version of the holiday classic includes an archival party and battle narrated by company dancer Jillian Barrell. Masked snowflakes mark the beginning of a performance filmed earlier this month that then continues through to the finale.
This entire Suite moves quickly both in overall pace and movement. Andersen’s corps scenes – snow and flowers – are particularly energetic, full of choreographic canons that are done with wonderful precision, a necessity so as to not appear a mess. They dancers are clearly well-rehearsed.
Also to note are the strength of the male dancers. The Sugar Plum Fairy’s two pages? (there is no program credit) and the Tea and Trepak duets are all outstanding.
BALLET AUSTIN: THE NUTCRACKER “HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS”
December 12, 2020 – January 1, 2021
BALLETCOLLECTIVE: THE NUTCRACKER AT WETHERSFIELD
December 23-26, 2020
BALLETMET: A NUTCRACKER HOLIDAY
December 4-27, 2020
- Not specified
- Choreographer: Gerard Charles
Cast
- Herr Drosselmeyer: William Newton, Austin Powers
- Young Clara: Kaitlynn Hanna
- Grown Up Clara: Jessica Brown, Caitlin Valentine
- Nutcracker Prince: Michael Sayre
- Sugar Plum Fairy: Caitlin Valentine, Grace-Anne Powers
- Cavalier: Miguel Anaya
✧ BalletMet Nutcracker Review
This abridged version of our favorite seasonal ballet titled Clara’s Nutcracker Prince is a narrated reflection of one of our young protagonists favorite holiday memories. The only section shown in full is the pas de deux of the Grand Pas but the video and audio editing are pretty seamless making for a pleasurable viewing experience. And there is enough shown of each scene so as to not feel like measly samplings. This production is a great way to introduce young ones to both the tale and the beautiful dancing that often provokes them to become interested in ballet.
As indicated in the casting above, it appears that footage is taken from multiple performances; I did not notice this while watching, so glad that it wasn’t a distraction.
✧ Extra Features
Along with Clara’s Nutcracker Prince, A Nutcracker Holiday also features other related activities for the family such as The Nutcracker Scavenger Adventure, Holiday Crafts, Favorite Seasonal Recipes, Spotify Playlists, and Coloring Pages. This makes for a full afternoon of holiday fun!
BALLET WEST: THE NUTCRACKER
December 24 & 25, 2020 and January 1, 2021
✧ Ballet West Nutcracker Review
BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET: THE NUTCRACKER AT THE REP
December 18-24, 2020
BOSTON BALLET: THE GIFT
December 17-27, 2020
- December 2020 @ Not specified
- Choreographers: Mikko Nissinen + Paul Craig, Chyrstyn Fentroy, Arianna Hughlett, John Lam, Gabriel Lorena, Haley Schwan, My'Kal Stromile
Cast
- Grand pas de deux from The Nutcracker: Viktorina Kapitonova + Tigran Mkrtchyan
- Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite: Boston Ballet, Boston Ballet II, and Boston Ballet School Post Graduates
✧ Boston Ballet The Gift Review
For those expecting classical ballet, the first part of this program features the Grand pas de deux from Mikko Nissinen’s The Nutcracker. The experience is unique, though: Vitorina Kapitonova and Tigran Mkrtchyan’s costumes come with coordinating masks and they dance to Alex Foaksman’s live piano playing. It is an interesting decision to not use a recorded orchestral version of Tchaikovsky’s famous notes resulting in more of a dress rehearsal vibe than that of a performance.
Segueing the classical to the contemporary is Eric Jackson, aka the “Dean of Boston Jazz Radio”, providing some history of Duke Ellington. Ellington’s “The Nutcracker Suite” serves as the music and inspiration of what is to follow.
Boston Ballet, Boston Ballet II, and Boston Ballet School Post Graduates choreograph nine short pieces for each other. Aside from the score, the threads that tie them together are a coordinated palette of grayscale and red hued costumes and the sole piece of scenery that stays suspended throughout. Paul Craig’s Sugar Rum Cherry (Dance Of The Sugar-Plum Fairy) feels overall the strongest and Chyrstyn Fentroy’s stage presence although minimal is most memorable; but each vignette shows admirable effort in creating contemporary dance to syncopated music.
BOSTON BALLET: THE NUTCRACKER
November 30 – December 25, 2020
- November 2019 @ Citizens Bank Opera House
- Choreographer: Mikko Nissinen
Cast
- The Nutcracker Prince: Tigran Mkrtchyan
- Sugar Plum Fairy: Ji Young Chae
- Drosselmeier: Paulo Arrais
- Clara: Mia Steedle
- Snow Queen & King: Seo Hye Han & Paul Craig
- Dew Drop: Viktorina Kapitonova
✧ Boston Ballet Nutcracker Review
This made-for-tv one-hour production is introduced by Hoda Kotb and narrated by Drosselmeier. It is a very abridged version of the full-length performance, so perhaps a good introduction for the young ones, but not a fulfilling experience for those wanting to watch a lot of dance. The only (near) full scenes that are shown are the Battle, Snow, Spanish, Flowers, and the Grand Pas Deux, the highlights being Ji Young Chae and Seo Hye Han as the Sugar Plum Fairy and Snow Queen, respectively.
This offering is complimentary, though, so if you’re looking for a quick fix of this holiday favorite all that’s required is registration with an email address.
CINCINNATI BALLET: THE NUTCRACKER AT HOME
December 17-27, 2020
ENGLISH NATIONAL BALLET: NUTCRACKER DELIGHTS
December 24, 2020 – January 23, 2021
GRAND RAPIDS BALLET: THE NUTCRACKER EXPERIENCE
December 18-31, 2020
- December 2020 @ DeVos Performance Hall
- Choreographer: Val Caniparoli
Cast
- Dream Clara: Julia Turner
- Nutcracker Prince: Nathan Young
- Dew Drop Fairy: Sarah Marley
- Sugar Plum Fairy: Yuka Oba-Muschiana
- Cavalier: Josue Justiz
✧ Grand Rapids Ballet Nutcracker Experience Review
HOUSTON BALLET: NUTCRACKER SWEETS
December 15 – January 8, 2021
NEW YORK CITY BALLET: THE NUTCRACKER
December 11 – January 3, 2021
- December 2019 @ Lincoln Center
- Choreographer: George Balanchine
CAST
- Sugarplum Fairy: Maria Kowroski
- Her Cavalier: Tyler Angle
- Dewdrop: Megan Fairchild
ORLANDO BALLET: THE NUTCRACKER
December 24, 2020 – January 15, 2021
- December 2020 @ Dr. Phillips Center
- Choreographer: Robert Hill
CAST
- Sugarplum Fairy: Chloe Misseldin
- Her Cavalier: Aran Bell
PACIFIC NORTHWEST BALLET: THE NUTCRACKER
December 11-26, 2020
PITTSBURGH BALLET THEATRE: FIRESIDE NUTCRACKER
December 17-31, 2020
ROYAL WINNIPEG BALLET: THE NUTCRACKER SUITE
December 23-27, 2020
SAN FRANCISCO BALLET: NUTCRACKER ONLINE
November 27 – December 31, 2020
- December 2007 @ San Francisco War Memorial Opera House
- Choreographer: Helgi Tomasson
Cast
- Clara: Elizabeth Powell
- Snow Queen: Yuan Yuan Tan
- Snow King: Pierre-François Vilanoba
- Sugar Plum Fairy: Vanessa Zahorian
- Grand pas de deux: Maria Kochetkova and Davit Karapetyan
✧ San Francisco Ballet Nutcracker Review
Set in 1915 in San Francisco, Helgi Tomasson’s 2004 version of “The Nutcracker” features glamorous costuming and decorative nuances of that era.
The story is well-woven with details that make you think, “Oh yes! That totally makes sense!” For example, in the first act all of the mechanical dolls (the Nutcracker being one of them) appear in the beginning of Clara’s dream, giving weight to the theory that what we experience in real life enters our subconscious mind. Also, the King of the Mice’s death is not precipitated by a ballet slipper but rather… well, best to leave that surprise for your viewing! As Clara and her Nutcracker-turned-Prince journey through the Land of Snow, the Queen, King, and snowflakes they encounter are absolutely beautiful.
In the second act, the Sugar Plum Fairy reigns the Crystal Palace which is filled with dragonflies, butterflies, and ladybugs. The divertissements perform for Clara and Drosselmeyer who sit upon a dais that changes location in order to adapt to the dances. The Sugar Plum Fairy leads the flowers (so no Dewdrop Fairy) and when Clara’s dream to become a ballerina comes true, it is a more adult version of herself that dances the Grand Pas de Deux with the Prince.
Tomasson’s unique vision and choreography are what make this version of “The Nutcracker” worth seeing.
✧ Extra Features
In San Francisco Ballet’s Nutcracker Online, you will also be treated to an introduction by Elizabeth Powell who plays Clara in the filming and is now a soloist in the company, interactive virtual reality images of the exterior and interior of the city’s War Memorial Opera House, a history of The Nutcracker (in 1944, San Francisco Ballet performed the first full version in America!) and thematic games to bring you even more joy during a time when it is so needed.
THE NATIONAL BALLET OF CANADA: THE NUTCRACKER
from December 4, 2020
THE WASHINGTON BALLET: THE NUTCRACKER VIRTUAL EXPERIENCE
December 2020
Featured Photo for Nutcracker Online Performances 2020: Paulo Arrais, Tigran Mkrtchyan, and Mia Steedle of Boston Ballet in Mikko Nissinen’s The Nutcracker © Liza Voll Photography
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