FAQ

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™ Choreography by George Balanchine © The George Balanchine Trust Photo © Paul Kolnik

Where is the best place to sit?
That depends. The David H. Koch Theater was built expressly to watch and enjoy the ballets of George Balanchine. If you prefer to see more of the architecture and fullness of the stage production, you might prefer the First Ring and upper Rings. They are set back and up from the stage. If you prefer to focus in on individual performers or stage elements and wish to be closer to the action, the Orchestra might be the better choice for you.

Where is the best place to sit if I am bringing young children?
It is a matter of personal preference; however many people find that young children very much enjoy the immediacy and closeness to the action that Orchestra seating affords. The aisles between the rows of Orchestra seats are very generous and accommodate well the restlessness and activity of children.    

Are there any discounts for Children/Seniors/Students or Groups to performances of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker ™?
No. All tickets are full-price for anyone attending these performances. 

I would like to bring several friends and/or family members to see George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™. Do I qualify for Group benefits?
In order to qualify as a “group sale” there must be a minimum of 20 individuals in your party for performances of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™.

What happens if I lose or misplace my ticket(s) before a performance?
If tickets have been purchased by credit card, you should contact the box office (telephone: 212-870-5570), in advance if at all possible, and they will arrange for you to pick up location passes to be admitted to the performance. This assistance is not available when tickets have been purchased with cash at the box office window.

If I bring an infant, do I need a ticket?
Our best advice is to not bring an infant or children under age 5 to the theater as they may prove disruptive to the performance and other patrons in the audience. If infants or other children do come and become noisy or a distraction, ushers will ask them and their parents or chaperones to leave the auditorium. Everyone, including infants of any age, must have a ticket before being admitted to the theater.

How long is the performance?
The performance runs two hours.  Act I runs 49 minutes. There is a 20 minute intermission. Act II runs 41 minutes.

What is the appropriate attire?
There is no dress code. Most people wear what might be described as comfortable “office attire.” However, George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™ is very much a part of the holiday season and many audience members will wear fancy dress when the performance is part of a celebration or “evening out” on the town. Children are often dressed in their fanciest holiday finery as there is an opportunity to have your picture taken with a character from the performance and many families wish to have a keepsake of this special time.

What happens if I miss my performance of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™?
Unfortunately, the ticket holder is responsible if the performance is missed. The Company is not responsible for inclement weather, traffic conditions, plane cancellations, personal or family illnesses or losses or competing events. As stated on the ticket, all ticket sales are final and not subject to exchange or replacement.

What happens if my plans change and/or I find I cannot use the tickets I purchased for George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker ™?
Tickets can be donated back to the Company and you will receive a tax deduction receipt for the full amount of your contribution. Tickets may be donated back to the Company only by calling 212-870-5667 starting two hours before curtain time.

During George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker ™:

Between 11:30 am-12:30 pm for 1 pm performances
Between Noon-1:30 pm for 2 pm performances
Between 3 pm-4:30 pm for 5 pm performances
Between 4 pm-5:30 pm for 6 pm performances
Between 6 pm-7:30 pm for 8 pm performances

Why is the ballet’s title trademarked?  
There are many different productions of the ballet known as The Nutcracker in the world.

There is no one “Nutcracker” ballet. The trademark protects the copyrighted choreography created by Mr. Balanchine in 1954 for this production, his production, of the ballet. It was the creation of this ballet by Mr. Balanchine for the New York City Ballet that began the tradition in America and Europe of celebrating the Christmas holidays with performances of this story ballet.