"Battle of the Nutcrackers" Is Back
The rest of the world is in full-tilt Turkey Day mode right now, but us dance people have been getting our Christmas on since Nutcracker rehearsals began back in September. So, look: If you can’t bear to hear the “Party March” one more time, if you’re Hot Chocolate-d and Marzipan-ed and Candy Cane-d out, if you’re eager for it to be New Years already—I feel you. Nutcracker is a lot.
But here’s the thing: There’s no better way to fan the dying flames of your Nutcracker love than to watch a few amazing, world-class productions of The Nutcracker from the comfort of your couch. And that’s why you should be getting excited about Ovation TV’s “Battle of the Nutcrackers”—back for the ninth (!) time—which kicks off this Saturday, November 28.
Ovation will be airing four different Nuts this year, two of which are US premieres and one of which is possibly my favorite Nutcracker video of all time. That’s right: The 1993 film of New York City Ballet in George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker is on the list. I repeat: THE MACAULAY CULKIN NUTCRACKER IS ON THE LIST.
Not Macaulay Culkin, but sooooo pretty! This is Anna Tsygankova and James Stout in Dutch National Ballet’s Nutcracker, making its US premiere during “Battle of the Nutcrackers.” (photo Angela Sterling, courtesy Ovation)
Yes, there is an actual battle involved in this Nutcracker battle, and not just of the mouse-soldier variety: You can vote for your favorite Nut via Ovation’s Facebook page, beginning November 28. The winner will be revealed and re-aired on December 21.
Check out this year’s featured productions below, and visit ovationtv.com for a complete programming schedule.
The Nutcracker
(New York City Ballet)
Saturday, November 28 at 12:30 PM ET
Peter Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker and the Mouse King
(Dutch National Ballet – US Premiere)
Saturday, December 5 at 12:30 PM ET
Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker
(Wiener Staatsballett – US premiere)
Saturday, December 12 at 12:30 PM ET
The Nutcracker
(The Bonn Ballet)
Saturday, December 19 at 12:30 PM ET
