New York City Ballet will present a special tribute to the 50th anniversary of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™ on Thursday, December 30, at 6 p.m., featuring 15 of the Company’s Principal Dancers in various roles.

For this one-time-only performance, the role of the Sugarplum Fairy will be shared by Yvonne Borree, Darci Kistler, Jenifer Ringer, Miranda Weese, and Wendy Whelan. The role of her Cavalier will be shared by Principal Dancers Charles Askegard, Nikolaj Hübbe, Sebastién Marcovici, Nilas Martins, Benjamin Millepied, Philip Neal, and Jock Soto, as well as by Soloist Joaquin De Luz.

The role of Dewdrop will be danced by Alexandra Ansanelli and Maria Kowroski, and James Fayette will perform the role of Herr Drosselmeier.

The Nutcracker was chosen by choreographer and NYCB co-founder George Balanchine to be his first full-evening production for NYCB. At the time of its premiere, on February 2, 1954, at NYCB’s then-home, New York’s City Center of Music and Drama, the ballet was relatively unknown in this country.

The success of Balanchine’s production for NYCB paved the way for The Nutcracker to become one of the most popular ballets in America, and for the music to become an essential part of the holiday season. The Nutcracker has been performed by NYCB in New York City every holiday season since its premiere.

New York City Ballet welcomes Wachovia as the presentation sponsor of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™ this year.

Performances of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™ continue at the New York State Theater through Sunday, January 2. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster at 212-307-4100, online at www.nycballet.com, or at the New York State Theater Box Office.

The New York State Theater is located on the Lincoln Center Plaza at Columbus Avenue at 63rd Street.