Pennsylvania Ballet Performs George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™ & Dinner at the Ritz Carlton Philadelphia

Spend a night or a weekend filling your stocking with holiday spirit at George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™.

When the curtain lifts, the audience is whisked to an exhilarating Christmas Eve night at the Stahlbaum estate. This beloved ballet tells the story of Marie and her brother Fritz with their friends and family, and Marie’s enchanted adventure to the Land of Sweets with the Nutcracker-turned- Prince after defeating the scary Mouse King. 

Performances by the Sugarplum Fairy and her Cavalier, the Snowflakes, Dewdrop and her Flowers, the little angles, Coffee, Tea, Hot Chocolates and Candy Canes will enthrall the audience.

 Pennsylvania Ballet Company Member Alexander Peters in George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™, choreography by George Balanchine © The George Balanchine Trust. 
Photo: Alexander Iziliaev

This is one of the best performances of the Nutcracker™ I have seen to date- the entire cast seemed so happy to be on stage, dancing with excitement and laughter. Little Marie and her prince were a charming young couple!

Before any PA Ballet performance, make sure you visit 10 Arts Lounge at the Ritz Carlton Philadelphia. Enjoy amazing food in a gorgeous setting. Our server, Jessica, was charming and sweet, and helped us choose our dinner selections. 

Small plates appetizers such as Philly pretzels with cheddar sauce, Dijon mustard, and Jalapeno jam; fresh oysters, Mac, Ham and Cheese, Philly cheesesteak sliders, pork sliders, roasted nuts, fresh bread, mini pork or beef sliders. 

Fresh oysters at 10 Arts Lounge

Each item was so fresh and delicious, I could barely wait to try another mouthful!

We also enjoyed roasted Kennett Square mushrooms with garlic and Parmesan, small salads and so much more. 

The drinks menu is gorgeous, try the Blair and Pear, a sweet lemony-honeyed cocktail with vodka, pear, honey and lavender.

And for dessert, sample an array of chocolates and sweets, and the hot chocolate comes highly recommended with all kinds of sweet toppings. I got a hot chocolate with vanilla marshmallows and crushed peppermint candy canes. 

Special thanks to Bradley Pacana and Miguel Hernandez at the Ritz Carlton Philadelphia. 

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™ performances at the Academy of Music:
Friday, December 13 at 7 p.m.
Saturday, December 14 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Sunday, December 15 at noon and 5 p.m.
Thursday, December 19 at 7 p.m.
Friday, December 20 at 7 p.m.
Saturday, December 21 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Sunday, December 22 at noon and 5 p.m.
Monday, December 23 at 2 p.m.
Tuesday, December 24 at noon
Thursday, December 26 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Friday, December 27 at 2 p.m.
Saturday, December 28 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Sunday, December 29 at noon and 5 p.m.

Tickets to all performances of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™ at the Academy of Music are on sale now, starting at $35. Tickets are available online, by phone at 215.893.1999, and in person at the Kimmel Center Box Office.

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™ is supported by First Niagara Foundation, and PECO is Program Sponsor of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™.

Special thanks to Marissa Montenegro, Public Relations Manager of the Pennsylvania Ballet.