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George Balanchine's The Nutcracker
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Is it age appropriate?
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Not age appropriate for kids under 4, age appropriate for kids over 5; suggested age 5. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Macaulay Culkin v. Mouse King in NYC Ballet treat.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 5 and Up
The good stuff
What to watch out for
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Violence & scariness:
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What Parents Need to Know
About George Balanchine's The Nutcracker
Parents need to know that this production sparkles with that magical Christmas feeling, but some kids may get bored with the longer dance scenes. There's no dialogue in this traditional ballet except for hushed narration, and don't expect any Home Alone-style antics from Macaulay Culkin. The story does have some brief, mildly scary scenes. For example, the Nutcracker Prince battles the multi-headed Mouse King in a gore-free choreographed sword fight.
Read our full review by Ellen Dendy
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about how Tchaikovsky's music helps tell the story. What types of instruments are playing during the darker, scarier scenes? What types of instruments are playing during the dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, and why does the melody fit the scene so well? How do the dancers use their bodies and facial expressions to tell a story, without speaking?
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