1. 1. New York City Ballet

   November 24 to December 30 at the New York State Theater

   The gold standard: Balanchine’s indestructible Nutcracker uses the entire company, lots of kids from the School of American Ballet, and a one-ton tree.

2. 2. Nutcracker in the Lower

   November 25 to December 2 at Abrons Arts Center

   This much-updated version, with modern, African, and salsa dance alongside ballet, has itself become a downtown tradition.

3. 3. Moscow Classical Ballet

   November 26 at Lehman Center for the Performing Arts

   The Russian troupe’s new production takes place in the “Land of Peace and Harmony.”

Related:

• Articles by Alicia Zuckerman
• Table of Contents: November 27, 2006 issue of New York | Subscribe!