Nutcracker Online Performances 2020

Nutcracker Online Performances 2020

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

December 4-31, 2020

American Ballet Theatre - The Nutcracker 2020

TICKETS FOR AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE

  • 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

Atlanta Ballet - The Nutcracker 2020

TICKETS FOR ATLANTA BALLET

BALLET ARIZONA: NUTCRACKER SUITE

December 12 & 19, 2020

Ballet Arizona - The Nutcracker Suite 2020

TICKETS FOR BALLET ARIZONA

  • 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

Ballet Austin - The Nutcracker 2020

TICKETS FOR BALLET AUSTIN

BALLETCOLLECTIVE: THE NUTCRACKER AT WETHERSFIELD

December 23-26, 2020

BalletCollective - The Nutcracker at Wethersfield Streaming

TICKETS FOR BALLETCOLLECTIVE

BALLETMET: A NUTCRACKER HOLIDAY

December 4-27, 2020

BalletMet - A Nutcracker Holiday

TICKETS FOR BALLETMET

  • 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 Review - The Nutcracker 1218

TICKETS FOR BALLET WEST

✧ Ballet West Nutcracker Review

Written December 7, 2018: Ballet West Review: The Most Stunning Nutcracker of Them All

BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET: THE NUTCRACKER AT THE REP

December 18-24, 2020

Birmingham Royal Ballet - The Nutcracker at the REP

TICKETS FOR BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET

BOSTON BALLET: THE GIFT

December 17-27, 2020

Boston Ballet - The Gift

TICKETS FOR BOSTON BALLET

  • 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

Boston Ballet - The Nutcracker Online 2020

TICKETS FOR BOSTON BALLET

  • 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.

CHARLOTTE BALLET: THE NUTCRACKER AT HOME

December 23-26, 2020

Charlotte Ballet - A Fairy-Tailored Nutcracker

TICKETS FOR CHARLOTTE BALLET

CINCINNATI BALLET: THE NUTCRACKER AT HOME

December 17-27, 2020

Cincinnati Ballet - The Nutcracker at Home

TICKETS FOR CINCINNATI BALLET

COLORADO BALLET: THE NUTCRACKER

December 4-25, 2020

Colorado Ballet - The Nutcracker 2020

TICKETS FOR COLORADO BALLET

  • Not specified
  • Choreographer: based on choreography by Martin Friedmann, Sandra Brown

Cast

  • Clara: Sarah Tryon
  • Nutcracker Prince: Francisco Estevez
  • Sugarplum Fairy: Chandra Kuykendall
  • Cavalier: Christophor Moulton

ENGLISH NATIONAL BALLET: NUTCRACKER DELIGHTS

December 24, 2020 – January 23, 2021

English National Ballet - Nutcracker Delights

TICKETS FOR ENGLISH NATIONAL BALLET

GRAND RAPIDS BALLET: THE NUTCRACKER EXPERIENCE

December 18-31, 2020

Grand Rapids Ballet - the nutcracker experience

TICKETS FOR GRAND RAPIDS BALLET

  • 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

Although not the most glamorous of Nutcrackers, Grand Rapids Ballet’s presentation for this holiday season is a special one. The company really accentuates the significance of the arts in their local and broader communities by including coverage of the Grand Rapids Symphony. In fact, the film begins with them – masked and physically distanced – playing the overture for the narrated Party and Battle Scenes.

Between Snow and Act II, there is also behind the scenes footage at the making of this production. From the artists talking about their first dance experiences to a peek into the costume shop to a look at how footage is spliced together, we are made aware of just how much human effort is made in the creation of ballet magic. Especially interesting to learn is that only four dancers are on stage at any given time; but due to incredible compositing and editing, we are provided a seamless viewing experience.

The second act includes most of the divertissements as well as the Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier variations and coda (there is no grand pas de deux). The dancers’ technique is not always as refined as one would expect from a professional company, but their energetic presence consistently radiates throughout.

HOUSTON BALLET: NUTCRACKER SWEETS

December 15 – January 8, 2021

Houston Ballet - Nutcracker Sweets

TICKETS FOR HOUSTON BALLET

NEW YORK CITY BALLET: THE NUTCRACKER

December 11 – January 3, 2021

New York City Ballet - The Nutcraker 2020

TICKETS FOR NEW YORK CITY BALLET

  • 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

Orlando Ballet - The Nutcracker

TICKETS FOR ORLANDO BALLET

  • 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

Pacific Northwest Ballet - The Nutcracker 2020 - digital

TICKETS FOR PACIFIC NORTHWEST BALLET

PITTSBURGH BALLET THEATRE: FIRESIDE NUTCRACKER

December 17-31, 2020

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre - Fireside Nutcracker

TICKETS FOR PITTSBURGH BALLET THEATRE

  • October 2020 @ c Hartwood Acres Mansion & Pittsburgh Playhouse
  • Choreographer: Terrence S. Orr

Cast

  • Drosselmeyer: Steven Annegarn
  • Marie: Diana Yohe
  • The Nephew: Joseph Parr
  • Snow King: William Moore
  • Snow Queen: Gabrielle Thurlow
  • Winter Fairy: Alexandra Kochis
  • Sugar Plum Fairy: Jessica McCann
  • Cavalier: Yoshiaki Nakano
  • The Garden Fairy: Hannah Carter

ROYAL WINNIPEG BALLET: THE NUTCRACKER SUITE

December 23-27, 2020

Royal Winnipeg Ballet - The Nutcracker Suite

TICKETS FOR ROYAL WINNIPEG BALLET

SAN FRANCISCO BALLET: NUTCRACKER ONLINE

November 27 – December 31, 2020

San Francisco Ballet - Nutcracker Online 2020

TICKETS FOR SAN FRANCISCO BALLET

  • 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.

SCOTTISH BALLET: THE SECRET THEATRE

December 21-24, 2020

The Scottish Ballet - The Secret Theatre

TICKETS FOR SCOTTISH BALLET

THE NATIONAL BALLET OF CANADA: THE NUTCRACKER

from December 4, 2020

The National Ballet of Canada - The Nutcracker 2021 Cineplex

TICKETS FOR THE NATIONAL BALLET OF CANADA

THE WASHINGTON BALLET: THE NUTCRACKER VIRTUAL EXPERIENCE

December 2020

The Washington Ballet - The Nutcracker Virtual Experience

TICKETS FOR THE WASHINGTON BALLET

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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