The Nutcracker dances its way through the area

It’s time for those sugar plum fairies, toys and assorted figments of a young girl’s dream to make their annual appearance. The holiday season on Long Island shines brightly once again with numerous versions of the holiday classic to choose from, along with other activities that are sure to bring out the holiday spirit in everyone.
Here are some of the season’s top picks.

The Nutcracker by Leggz Ltd. Dance
The Rockville Centre-based troupe always opens ‘Nutcracker season’ on Long Island with its annual full-length production of the beloved ballet, accompanied by the South Shore Symphony Orchestra. The live 70-piece orchestra performing the glorious Tchaikovsky score adds to production’s appeal, which runs for the three performances this weekend.

Leggz Ltd.’s version of the holiday classic, presented with the Rockville Centre Guild for the Arts, features dancers from many of the nation’s prestigious ballet companies and Broadway: the Boston Ballet, Washington Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, the Joffrey Ballet, Suzanne Farrell, Mark Morris, New York City Opera, Atlanta Ballet, Alvin Ailey, San Francisco Ballet, Carolina Ballet, Morphoses, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Movin’ Out, and Jerome Robbins Broadway. These professionals are joined by over 100 young dancers from the metropolitan area.
See the holiday classic, Friday, Dec. 3, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 4, 5 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 5, 4 p.m. $24, $22 seniors and under 12. South Side Middle School, 140 Shepherd St., Rockville Centre(516) 766-7171.

Land of the Sweets
There’s still more Nutcracker to come from Leggz Ltd. Dance. Leggz dancers perform excerpts from their production at Nassau County Museum of Art on Saturday, Dec. 11, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. This family holiday event, “Land of the Sweets,” is a delightful glimpse of holiday festivities with Clara and her brother Fritz, the Nutcracker and fearsome soldiers, the Mouse Queen and mice, beautiful ballerinas, Mother Ginger, and Clara’s Uncle Drosselmeyer who takes Clara on a trip through that truly magical place, known as the Land of Sweets.
This performances features dancers who have appeared with the New York City Ballet, Alvin Ailey Repertory Company, Ballet Hispancio of New York, Les Grands Ballet Canadiens, Joffery Ballet School.
Enjoy the special holiday treat at Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr. (off Northern Blvd.) Roslyn Harbor. $45, $25 children; admission includes light refreshments and museum admission. Attendance is limited and reservations are required. (516) 484-9338, ext. 16 or visit www.nassaumuseum.org/events.

New York Dance Theatre’s The Nutcracker
New York Dance Theatre’s production –now in its 29th season – is performed, as always, in the tradition of the legendary George Balanchine, under the guidance of founder and artistic director Frank Ohman. Ohman’s guest artists are from the New York City Ballet and MOMIX, among other troupes. This year’s featured soloists include former New York City Ballet soloist Arch Higgins, who now teaches at New York Dance Theater’s school; Nicole Loizides, principal dancer with MOMIX; DaVon Doane, of the Dance Theater of Harlem; and Eric Ragan, formerly of the Suzanne Farrell Ballet, among others. In all, a cast of 80 children, semi-professional and professional dancers are involved in this presentation of the holiday classic.
New York Dance Theatre continues to maintain the Balanchine tradition from storyline through choreography, sets and costumes. Ohman’s version, while true to Balanchine’s vision, includes some original scenes and sequences he created. The six performances get underway Friday, Dec. 17, at 11 and 7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 18-19, 12 and 5 p.m.
See New York Dance Theatre’s Nutcracker at Hofstra University’s John Cranford Adams Playhouse, Hempstead. $35, $28 seniors and children; $18 for Dec. 17 morning performance. (888) 695-0888 or (631) 462-0964 or www.ohmanballet.org.

Still More Nutcracker
Long Island’s professional dance company, Eglevsky Ballet, breaks with tradition this year, when it presents its annual spectacular production. The company, which was founded in 1961 by Andre Eglevsky, who had performed with American Ballet Theater and New York City Ballet, unveils a new interpretation from emerging choreographer Laszlo Berdo, formerly of the Boston Ballet. The company’s 27 dancers are joined by guest artists Lia Cirio and James Whiteside, principal dancers with the Boston Ballet, who dance the roles of the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Cavalier. The cast includes over 45 area dance students, who have gone through rigorous training to master the new choreography.
Eglevsky Ballet’s three performances take place at Tilles Center on Saturday, Dec. 18, at 1 and 7 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 19, 1 p.m. Tickets start at $35. Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, Rte. 25A, Brookville. (516) 299-3100 or www.eglevskyballet.com.

Old Westbury Gardens’ Holiday Celebration
For those looking for something else besides The Nutcracker, Old Westbury Gardens is ready to share some holiday spirit with visitors. The Garden’s season traditionally concludes with an extensive Holiday Celebration, beginning this weekend, which showcases Westbury House, all decked out in its holiday splendor.
Period rooms are decorated with wreaths, mantelpiece drapes, topiaries, plants. and other horticultural arrangements. The kids can have fun with holiday crafts and share their holiday wishes with Santa, with hot cider and cookies on the West Porch. Westbury House shows off its holiday glow, Saturday evening,
7-9 p.m., when everyone is invited to the First Night & Tree Lighting. Welcome the season with a tree lighting, visit with Santa, and hear the Bethel Caroling Chorale perform, at 7:15 and 8:30 p.m.
Old Westbury Gardens is located at 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. Varied fees apply throughout the holiday season. (516) 333-0048 or www.oldwestburygardens.org.