You won’t be able to sit in the theater and watch the dance of the sugar plum fairy or the pas de deux this year, but these companies are coming through with online performances of the holiday classic. Gather the family by the Christmas tree, make some tea or hot cocoa and keep the tradition alive with these online experiences:
The Washington Ballet Nutcracker Tea Party
Dec. 6, 3 p.m.
Join the company for a 40-minute Nutcracker experience on their YouTube channel featuring guest performances, interactive activities, the story of The Washington Ballet’s unique production of this holiday favorite and behind the scenes interviews. Viewers are encouraged to share photos on Instagram of you and your family watching at home with the hashtag #thewashingtonballet for a chance to win special prizes. The website also has instructions for making your own Nutcracker diorama scene. // free
Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker Christmas Stream
Dec. 19, 8 p.m.
In a regular year, Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker is performed at GMU’s concert hall; this year it’s streaming from your living room. Take a trip backstage for a peek into how the magic comes to live, hear details first-hand from the artists, designers and creators who make it happy and see the full performance as captured on stage. In addition to the basic stream you can book packages that include a Zoom meet and greet with a ballet dancer, Nutcracker figurine shipped to your door and a performance of the dying swan. // from $25
Maryland Youth Ballet
Starting Dec. 19, 9 p,m.
MYB is excited to announce their reimagined production, The Nutcracker Storybook, which follows the storyline of the holiday ballet with Uncle Drosselmeyer narrating and guiding viewers through a storybook come to life. The performance is prerecorded, and you can rent or purchase in advance watch anytime after the premiere. // $10 to rent, $20 to purchase
Manassas Ballet Theatre
Virtual production begins streaming Dec. 24, 7:30 p.m.
The MBT is featuring its international company dancers from the Hylton Performing Arts Center for this all ages show, which was filmed on the Merchant Hall stage under strict safety protocols without an audience. Join sweet Clara, naughty Fritz, party guests, the dancing dolls, Drosselmeyer and the Nutcracker Prince through this timeless dreamy journey. Tickets include a 30-day streaming period of a performance with either Cast A or Cast B. // $25
Loudoun Ballet Performing Arts Company
Digital passes available Dec. 24 through Jan. 15
This year, the ballet company is offering excerpts from The Nutcracker, with a running time of one hour and 20 minutes. Check out the website and follow them on social media for the most up-to-date information about the performance. // $25
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