New York Theatre Ballet’s streamlined retelling of The Nutcracker, imaginatively choreographed by Keith Michael, is part of NYTB’s Once Upon a Ballet series, geared to young children, ages 3+. Set in turn-of-the-century Art Nouveau style and danced to Tchaikovsky’s beloved score, the hour-long production features a large, time-bending clock, a luminous owl that flies above the audience, and the enchanting and cherished characters that audiences have delighted in year after year. NYTB’s The Nutcracker features set designs by Gillian Bradshaw-Smith, and costumes by Sylvia Taalsohn Nolan, Resident Costume Designer for the Metropolitan Opera.

Performances of The Nutcracker at Florence Gould Hall (55 East 59th Street) are scheduled for Friday, December 9 at 6:30pm; Saturday, December 10 at 11:00am, 1:00pm and 3:30pm; and Sunday, December 11 at 11:00am, 1:00pm and 3:30pm. Tickets, priced at $35 for adults and $25 for children 12 and under, are on sale now at the Florence Gould Hall box office and at Ticketmaster