10 Dance Performances to See in December & January
Catch innovative companies at The Joyce, New York City Ballet’s winter season, holiday spectacles and more
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NYC’s winter dance season always brings a nonstop march of Nutcrackers. But there are also other dance performances to enjoy over the holidays and beyond as we twirl into 2022. Unless otherwise indicated, proof of full COVID-19 vaccination and masks are required. If you’re a TDF member, log in to your account to see what we’re selling as ticket inventory changes frequently.
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The Joyce Theater, 175 Eighth Avenue at 19th Street in Chelsea
Runs through December 12. If you’re a TDF member, log in to your account to purchase discount tickets.
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Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo
The Joyce Theater, 175 Eighth Avenue at 19th Street in Chelsea
Runs December 14-January 2, 2022. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 breakthrough infections, the run ended early.
Lovingly known as “The Trocks,” this all-male ballet troupe returns for its biennial holiday run at The Joyce Theater. Long before it was safe to be out, gay and proud, these talented men were wowing audiences by dancing en pointe in drag. While they deliver hilarious send-ups of classics, there’s superb technique supporting their satire. Expect virtuoso high jinks as they parody Swan Lake, Les Sylphides and Jerome Robbins’ In the Night with their latest creation Nightcrawlers set to Chopin nocturnes.
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New York City Center, 131 West 55th Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenues in Midtown West
Runs through December 19. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 breakthrough infections, the run ended early.
New York City Center welcomes back this superb company for its annual three-week holiday run. Highlights include the Wynton Marsalis-scored For Four, a premiere by Robert Battle who’s marking 10 years as the troupe’s artistic director; and the on-stage debut of Holding Space, a piece by Jamar Roberts that was done virtually during the pandemic. Speaking of Roberts, on December 9, the star dancer is giving a one-night-only farewell performance in his solo You Are the Golden Hour That Would Soon Evanesce, though he will remain as the troupe’s resident choreographer. The program also includes classics by Ailey such as Cry, his tribute to Black women and, of course, his enduring masterpiece Revelations.
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Christmas Spectacular Starring The Radio City Rockettes
1260 Sixth Avenue at 50th Street in Midtown West
Runs through January 2, 2022. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 breakthrough infections, the run ended early.
Note: Masks are not required for fully vaccinated audiences.
Returning after last year’s pandemic-induced hiatus, this landmark production is as popular as ever, dazzling NYC natives and tourists alike with its falling soldiers, Living Nativity and incredible virtual tour of Midtown. Despite an array of new stunts and special effects, the world-famous Rockettes remain the show’s raison d’être. Yes, they’ve been dancing in the extravaganza since 1933. Yet all the high-tech innovations can’t hold a Christmas candle to their synchronized high kicks.
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New York City Ballet: George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker
David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center, 20 Lincoln Center Plaza at 62nd Street and Columbus Avenue in Lincoln Square
Runs through January 2, 2022. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 breakthrough infections, the run ended early.
There are a multitude of Nutcrackers to see this season. But George Balanchine’s version, which premiered in 1954, is what turned this Christmas ballet into a seasonal staple across the United States. After a pandemic hiatus, New York City Ballet’s iconic mounting is back on stage at Lincoln Center with its stunning sets and costumes, massive Christmas tree and dozens of delightful dancers moving to Tchaikovsky’s glorious score. There are a few changes this year: Due to vaccines not being available for young children when rehearsals started, all kids involved are ages 12 and up and there are brand-new outfits for the party scene. If you’re unable to make the in-person engagement, here’s a holiday treat: You can stream the troupe’s 2019 mounting at home for just $20 thanks to Marquee TV.
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The Joyce Theater, 175 Eighth Avenue at 19th Street in Chelsea
Canceled due to COVID-19.
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The Joyce Theater, 175 Eighth Avenue at 19th Street in Chelsea
Canceled due to COVID-19.
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The Joyce Theater, 175 Eighth Avenue at 19th Street in Chelsea
Canceled due to COVID-19.
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Soledad Barrio & Noche Flamenca
The Joyce Theater, 175 Eighth Avenue at 19th Street in Chelsea
Canceled due to COVID-19.
Flamenco lovers have long known that Soledad Barrio is a world treasure. As a performer and choreographer, she is so powerfully charismatic, even her smallest gestures stir your soul. She returns to The Joyce alongside her magnificent ensemble of singers, guitarists and dancers with a new program developed during the pandemic, a celebration of reconnection. It’s sure to be a grand evening.
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New York City Ballet: Winter Season
David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center, 20 Lincoln Center Plaza at 62nd Street and Columbus Avenue in Lincoln Square
Runs January 27-February 27.
No rest for New York City Ballet! Just a few weeks after The Nutcracker concludes, the company leaps into its six-week winter season. Highlights include a six-performance run of Swan Lake; world premieres by Justin Peck and Jamar Roberts; principal Gonzalo Garcia’s farewell performance; and beloved works by Balanchine and Robbins such as Walpurgisnacht Ballet and Slaughter on Tenth Avenue.
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Juan Michael Porter II is the staff writer for TheBody.com and a contributor to TDF Stages, Did They Like It?, SF Chronicle, Christian Science Monitor, American Theatre, them, Into More and SYFY Wire. He is a National Critics Institute and Poynter Power of Diverse Voices Fellow. Follow him at @juanmichaelii. Follow TDF at @ TDFNYC.
Top image: Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo in the troupe’s parody of Swan Lake. Photo by Lois Greenfield.
Juan Michael Porter II