Vertical Aerial Arts’ modern spin on “The Nutcracker” is not the only game in town. Here are four other productions of the classic ballet being performed around Brooklyn this holiday season, by companies both professional and pint-sized.
American Ballet Theatre
The renowned ballet company comes to the Brooklyn Academy of Music for a week-long engagement choreographed by Alexei Ratmansky and accompanied by a live orchestra. In addition to the top-notch dancing, the sets and costumes, designed by Tony winner Richard Hudson of “The Lion King,” are sure to stand out.
Brooklyn Academy of Music [30 Lafayette Ave. between Ashland Place and St. Felix Street in Fort Greene, (718) 636–4100], www.bam.org]. Dec. 13–22 at various times. $15–$150.
Cobble Hill Ballet
The youngsters of the Cobble Hill Ballet school perform excerpts from the original ballet, including the dances of the Sugar Plum Fairy, Russian Dolls, and Waltz of the Flowers. It is perfect for short attention spans, and what it may lack in polish, it is sure to make up for in cuteness.
The Kumble Theatre at Long Island University [One University Plaza at Dekalb and Flatbush avenues in Fort Greene, (718) 488–1624, www.kumbletheater.org], Dec. 14 and 15 at 1 pm and 4 pm. $10–$15.
Dance Theatre in Westchester
“The Colonial Nutcracker” is an annual tradition at the Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts, geared specifically for children ages 4 to 10. The production takes some liberties with the original ballet, setting it in colonial Yorktown during the Revolutionary War, complete with a red-coated mouse army.
Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College [2900 Campus Rd. between Amersfort Place and Kenilworth Place in Flatbush, (718) 951–4500, www.brooklyncenter.com], Dec. 15 at 2 pm. $10.
Brighton Ballet Theater
Kingsborough Community College will host the Brighton Ballet Theater and School of Russian American Ballet, a junior company of more than 80 young dancers, as it performs an abridged, hour-long version of the holiday classic, complete with lavish costumes and scenery and a finale that features dances from around the world. Thanks to its abbreviated runtime, the production is suitable for children ages 4 and up.
Leon M. Goldstein Performing Arts Center at Kingsborough Community College [2001 Oriental Blvd. at Oxford Street in Manhattan Beach, (718) 769–9161, www.brightonballet.com], Dec. 21 at 6:30 pm. $20–$50.
