[27/50] A story from Merrill Ashley's book Dancing for Balanchine (affiliate link) "At the first rehearsal, taught by Una Kai, a ballet...

[25/50] "Miss Adams is one of the loveliest of artists, and a shining jewel in the City Ballet’s crown. [...] There is a glowing quality...

[21/50] [1/2] Maria Tallchief remembering Tanny's opening night performance as Dew Drop: "...I watched Tanny lead the ‘Waltz of the...

[18/50] Maria Tallchief recalls watching Act 1 from the wings as she prepared to dance the Sugar Plum Fairy in Act 2: "Even from that...

[7/50] Allegra Kent on the first season of Balanchine's Nutcracker: "I was only a mouse and a shepherdess. I longed to be Dewdrop and do...

Raymonda Variations has been described as, “an adorable confection, concocted of marzipan, diamond, youth, and nostalgia” in “candy floss...

Although Serenade’s meaning has been subject to endless speculation since it was created 87 years ago—Mr. B himself even giving...

Today’s Christmas Eve performance would have been show 35. Here are some pictures of the gorgeous Diana Adams (left & Right) Frederick...

Another special debut post today! Mira Nadon makes her Dewdrop debut in Nutcracker number 25 tonight! Dewdrop is my all-time favorite...

Nutcracker number 21 this evening and we’ve got photos of Robert Barnett who originated the Candy Cane role in Balanchine’s 1954...

Nutcracker number 17 of the season is on tonight. Here are some shots of original NYCB company member Francisco Moncion who originated...

Show number 16. Photos of Melissa Hayden as the Sugar Plum Fairy. (top left) Photo by Frederick Melton, 1954. (top right) Photo by...

(5/50) Rehearsals for the snow scene in the 1954 original production of the Nutcracker. Mr. B was 50 here. You can see Mr. B...

(4/50) Maria Tallchief, Balanchine’s original Sugar Plum Fairy and “America’s First Prima Ballerina.”

(2/50) I received a question about Marie/Clara. Everyone knows NYCB’s Nutcracker production uses the name Marie now, but the photo I...

(1/50) On occasion I’ve found myself down the rabbit hole of the digital archives of @nypl_lpa @jeromerobbinsdancedivision. I think I’ll...