(Photo: Paul Kolnik; Courtesy of New York City Ballet)

New York City Ballet
David H. Koch Theater, Lincoln Center; 212-870-5500.
Towering trees, onstage blizzards, and pretty ballerinas. Why mess with the success of the late, great choreographer George Balanchine? This one sets the standard.
• Dates: Nov. 25–27, Dec. 1–4, Dec. 6–11, Dec. 13–22: Mon.–Tues., 6 p.m.; Wed., 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.; Thurs., 6 p.m.; Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sun., 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Dec. 23-31: Mon.–Tues., 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.; Wed., 6 p.m.; Thurs., 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.; Fri., 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 p.m.
• Price: $30–$225

(Photo: Richard Termine)

New York Theatre Ballet
Florence Gould Hall, 55 E. 59th St., nr. Park Ave.; 212-355-6160.
A streamlined one-hour version that's been known to attract celebrity moms like Marcia Gay Harden and Sarah Jessica Parker.
• Dates: Dec. 10–11 and Dec.17–18: 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3:30 p.m.
• Price: $31–$43

American Ballet Theatre
BAM Howard Gilman Opera House, 30 Lafayette Ave., nr. Ashland Pl., Ft. Greene; 718-636-4100.
This new, acclaimed production of The Nutcracker received rave reviews for its choreography by Alexei Ratmansky, live orchestra, and costumes by Tony Award–winner Richard Hudson.
• Dates: Dec. 14–31: Tue.–Fri., 7 p.m.; Sat., 2 p.m. Dec. 17, 7 p.m. Dec. 18, 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Dec. 21–31: Wed. and Fri., 2 p.m. Dec. 26, 7 p.m.
• Price: $25–$120

(Photo: Courtesy of Dances Patrelle)

Dances Patrelle: The Yorkville Nutcracker
Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College, 695 Park Ave., at 68th St.; 212-772-4448.
The Sugar Plum Fairy alights in 1890s Manhattan for a history lesson en pointe.
• Dates: Dec. 8–9, 7 p.m.; Dec. 10, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Dec. 11, noon and 5 p.m.
• Price: $45–$90

(Photo: Geoffrey Tischman)

Urban Ballet Theater: Nutcracker in the Lower
Abrons Arts Center, 466 Grand St., nr. Pitt St.; 212-352-3101.
The hot-cocoa counterpoint to NYCB’s hot toddy revs up the show with a multicultural cast and hip-hop beats.
• Dates: Nov. 26–Dec. 4: Tue.–Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 3 p.m.
• Price: $20

Related:

• Archive: “Guides”
• Articles by Rebecca Milzoff | Emily Watkins