DOWNTOWN — Hundreds of school children, teachers and parents gathered under the glass-vaulted atrium of the World Financial Center for an Art Nouveau version of The Nutcracker Tuesday.
The performance was the world premier by the New York Theatre Ballet at the Winter Garden at 200 Vesey St.
"The story never gets old. Just the thought of the Nutcracker being enchanted — I always feel like a little girl again," said Harlem resident Andrea Bourgeouis, who accompanied her third-grade daughter's class to the show.
"I like it because they have all these ballet dancers," said her daughter, Christine, who goes to the St. Aloysius School in Harlem.
The show was being presented twice on Nov. 29, including an evening performance at 6 p.m. where 100,000 holiday lights will be illuminated throughout the Winter Garden atrium.
"We're thrilled to be kicking off our favorite time of year with a new take on a perennial classic by one of the city's most beloved ballet companies," said Debra Simon, Artistic Director of Arts World Financial Center.
The show is part of a month-long holiday performances at the World Financial Center, including free performances by the Brooklyn Youth Chorus on Dec. 15 and National Yiddish Theatre-Folksbiene on Dec. 18.
"Reimagining the classic familiar tale, delving afresh into Tchaikovsky's enchanting score, imagining a new physical world in which the ballet can flourish — this has been an exciting time," said choreographer Keith Michael in a written statement.
