New York City Ballet will present a free performance of its beloved production of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™ for families affected by the World Trade Center tragedy at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, November 27 at the New York State Theater.

For this special performance the Company is inviting uniformed and non-uniformed families directly affected by the events of September 11. Tickets for the performance are by invitation only, and will be distributed through such organizations as the Uniformed Firefighter’s Association, the Police Foundation, The Port Authority Benevolent Association, and the individual corporations that had offices at One and Two World Trade Center.

“New York City Ballet was completing an engagement in Italy when the tragedy struck on September 11,” said NYCB’s Ballet Master in Chief Peter Martins. “Since then we have had many discussions about how we, as an arts organization, can be useful in these times. Our Company has always brought beauty and joy to our world and it is in that spirit that the entire company – our dancers, musicians, stagehands, and staff – would like to give this special gift of The Nutcracker to those people most affected by the tragedy.”

In addition to the free performance of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™, NYCB will provide free tickets for personnel involved in the ongoing relief efforts at the World Trade Center site during the Company’s winter and spring repertory seasons at the New York State Theater.