A holiday classic: The Nutcracker

Where to experience the celebrated ballet close to home

Clockwise from top left, The Northern Westchester School of Dance has staged The Nutcracker since 2016. The evil Mouse King from NWSD's production of The Nutcracker. (Courtesy of The Northern Westchester School of Dance). The Hudson Valley Dance Theatre's version is ‘Nutcracker: Short & Sweet,’ with a 60-minute runtime designed for young children and first-time ballet-goers. (Courtesy of Hudson Valley Dance Theatre). Ridgefield Conservatory's Sugar Plum Fairy (Eve Aronow) and The Cavalier (Henry Seth). (Bill Morgan Media Photo)

By LAURA SCHILLER 

The Nutcracker” begins with a girl named Clara, who dozes off after her family’s lively holiday party and slips into a whirlwind dream. After receiving a Nutcracker as a gift from her mysterious uncle, she suddenly finds herself in the middle of a battle between the Nutcracker and the Mouse King. From there, she’s swept into the shimmering Land of Snow and the candy-colored Land of Sweets, where whimsical characters dance for her. When she wakes, she’s left wondering if it was all just a dream … or something a little more magical.

Every holiday season, ballet companies across the globe bring this beloved tale to life with glittering costumes, enchanting sets, and Tchaikovsky’s iconic score. For many dancers and audience members alike, “The Nutcracker” is their first full-length ballet, an initiation into a world where storytelling and music combine to create pure seasonal magic.

While New York City’s world-renowned ballet company performs the show daily just an hour away, Westchester and neighboring communities offer their own rich slate of productions. From full-length stagings to shortened, family-friendly adaptations, young dancers begin rehearsing as early as September, training with dedicated instructors to bring this holiday tradition to the stage.

Here are some local productions bringing Clara’s world to life this season.

Northern Westchester School of Dance, Purchase College

At Northern Westchester School of Dance in Katonah, “The Nutcracker” is such a community tradition that the school affectionately refers to its dancers as “the Nutcracker family.” NWSD first staged its one-hour adaptation in 2016, a version the dance school continues at the Performing Arts Center at Purchase College.

“Those early days were a labor of love,” said Lynda Griffin, the school’s executive director and co-artistic director of the production, alongside Marie Zvosec. “I hand-sewed, beaded and built countless costumes and crafted oversized props, including a life-sized doll box, a grandfather clock with owl wings that flap, and even a Santa sleigh that carries Clara into the Land of Sweets.”

This year’s cast includes more than 80 children from 19 school districts. For Griffin, the production’s impact is profound. “They rehearse and perform in a truly professional production. It’s an unforgettable experience — and the reason I am so honored to be part of this tradition,” she said.

One of the most meaningful aspects is the continuity. “About 90% of our cast returns year after year,” Griffin said. “Typically, boys and girls begin around age five in the role of a cotton candy sheep and continue progressing through the roles until they graduate high school.”

Griffin invites the community to share in what she calls “a heartfelt and memorable production for audiences of all ages.”

Saturday, Dec. 20, at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 21, at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

The Performing Arts Center at Purchase College is located at 735 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase. For tickets and more information, visit nwsod.com.

Hudson Valley Dance Theatre, Paramount Hudson Valley Theater

Each December, Hudson Valley Dance Theatre reimagines the holiday classic with “Nutcracker: Short & Sweet,” a one-hour, fully narrated version designed especially for young children and first-time ballet-goers presented at the Paramount Hudson Valley Theater in Peekskill.

Artistic Director Aggie Kimple, who has led the Cornwall-based company since 2002, says accessibility is at the heart of the adaptation. “Unlike the traditional two-hour version, ‘Nutcracker: Short & Sweet’ trims the ballet to a crisp 60 minutes and adds narration from Clara’s point of view,” she said. “The story is told as you watch it unfold, so even 3-year-olds can follow along.”

An earlier sensory-friendly performance offers adjusted sound and lighting for audience members who benefit from a gentler environment. In both formats, what resonates most is the timeless story itself. 

“Clara has a holiday party. She sneaks back downstairs at night and either has a fabulous dream or magic happens,” Kimple said. “There’s just something lovely about the Christmas season and that young belief in magic.”

Sunday, Dec. 21, at 1 p.m. (sensory friendly) and 5 p.m. 

Paramount Hudson Valley Theater is located at 1008 Brown Street, Peekskill. For tickets and more information, visit paramounthudsonvalley.com.

Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance, Ridgefield Playhouse

Every holiday season, the Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance brings its full-length, classical production of “The Nutcracker” to the Ridgefield Playhouse, a tradition that has endured since the theater opened in 2001.

The Conservatory’s Executive Director Amy Piantaginni describes their staging as “the true classical ballet version.” Directed by Mary Beth Hansohn, the production includes roughly 75 dancers, several guest artists and a long-standing tradition of professional-caliber performance. “It’s quite an undertaking,” Piantaginni said. “But it’s also what makes it so special.”

This year’s cast features former New York City Ballet dancer Henry Fefe as the Cavalier and Snow King, as well as local adults, among them Ridgefield’s first selectperson, Rudy Marconi, who appear in the bustling Act I party scene.

The costumes alone are worth the price of admission. “We have beautiful costumes, some brand new, and many one-of-a-kind heirlooms that are decades old and handmade,” Piantaginni said. “They really shine onstage.”

Opening night includes a festive preshow reception featuring treats “from the Land of Sweets,” along with mocktails, sparkling juice and a champagne toast. A Nutcracker boutique in the lobby offers gifts and stocking stuffers to complete the holiday outing.

“Audiences should expect a really fun performance,” Piantaginni said. “It’s beautiful. It’s classical. And it’s a true holiday experience for families.”

Friday, Dec. 12, at 6:30 p.m. Reception at 5 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 13, at 2 and 6 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 14, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.Ridgefield Playhouse is located at 80 East Ridge Road, Ridgefield, Conn. For tickets and more information, visit ridgefieldplayhouse.org.