Which North Texas Nutcracker Is Right For You?

It’s the time of year that turns everyone into rabid ballet fans. It’s Nutcracker season, with more than a dozen productions to choose from in Dallas and Fort Worth.

Which one is relevant to your interests?

Texas Ballet Theater: The Nutcracker
Nov. 25-Dec. 4 at the Winspear Opera House
Dec. 9-24 at Bass Performance Hall
Choreographed by renowned artistic director Ben Stevenson, Texas Ballet Theater’s lavish production is one of the most elaborate professional Nutcrackers in the country. The fanciful production also benefits from its long run in both Dallas (Nov. 25 through Dec. 4) and Fort Worth (Dec. 9 through Dec. 24.) Every Nutcracker production has its charms, but sometimes it’s best left to the pros.

Dallas Repertoire Ballet: The Nutcracker
Dec. 9-11
The Eisemann Center in Richardson
Allen’s Academy of Dance Arts supplies 150 dancers to work their magic on a spectacular set, with members of the Bruce Wood Dance Project providing assistance.

Collin County Ballet Theatre and Plano Symphony Orchestra: The Nutcracker
Dec. 20-22
The Eisemann Center in Richardson
Full orchestral support is in place for this production.

Kathy Burkes Theatre of Puppetry Arts’ The Nutcracker
Dallas Children’s Theater
Nov. 18-Dec. 21
This string-pulling adaptation of the classic story is perfect for young children or anyone who prefers their ballerinas as puppets.

A Bur-Less-Q Nutcracker
Nov. 25-Dec. 26
Studio Theatre at Addison Theatre Centre
A ribald comedy about a Baptist church group that inadvertently enlists a burlesque troupe to handle its traditional production of the Christmas staple.

Dallas Ballet Company: The Nutcracker
Dec. 2-11
Granville Arts Center in Garland
This 30th anniversary production features 200 student dancers, with some extra help courtesy of guest dancers from the New York City, Los Angeles, and Miami Ballets.

Tuzer Ballet: The Nutcracker
Dec. 17 & 18
The Eisemann Center in Richardson
The Richardson-based company is a mainstay on the annual Nutcracker circuit.

The Hip Hop Nutcracker
Dec. 23
The Eisemann Center in Richardson
The traditional story is updated and transplanted into 1980s Brooklyn and the early days of hip hop in this fun take on The Nutcracker.

The Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker
Nov. 18-20
McFarlin Auditorium at SMU
The touring production is a top-notch professional show from the snowy birthplace of the Russian ballet.

Avant Chamber Ballet: A Ballet Christmas Carol
Dec. 15 & 16
Dallas City Performance Hall
A breath of fresh air from all The Nutcrackers, this new production is an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ Christmas Carol, with Scrooge and company moved into the world of dance.