The duel of the holiday dances

By PETER DOBRIN
The Philadelphia Inquirer

On the art-vs.-commerce battleground, the scenario is all too familiar.

The Nutcracker, as nearly everyone knows, is what keeps ballet companies across the country afloat, often providing a fourth or even a third of annual revenue.

Along come media giants Cablevision and Clear Channel with a splashy new touring show, Rockettes' Radio City Christmas Spectacular, set to blow all the poor Nutcrackers out of the water.

Toy Soldiers Take Aim at the Rockettes

By KATHRYN SHATTUCK
The New York Times

After tightening and trimming the Colorado Ballet's "Nutcracker" in preparation for this holiday season, Martin Fredmann had one final order for his army of toy soldiers.

Kick.

"They're marching and kicking in a pinwheel, inspired more or less by the Rockettes," said Mr. Fredmann, the company's chief executive and artistic director. "Next year, they'll kick up past their ears if I have anything to do with it."

Unconventional Wisdom | 'Nutcracker' needs to kick it up

By TANYA BARRIENTOS
The Philadelphia Inquirer

The truth about Christmas is that in the name of peace on Earth, goodwill toward men, we all end up doing stuff we hate.

We eat fruitcake. We abide friends' Christmas sweaters. We schlepp the kids to see The Nutcracker ballet.

God save us, every one.

That is why it comes as no surprise to me that in Massachusetts, Arizona and Colorado, the crusty old chestnut of ballet is facing eye-high competition from the Rockettes' "Radio City Christmas Spectacular."

In Phoenix, the city ballet's revenues fell by 22 percent last year after the Rockettes high-kicked into town.

Ballet stepped up to Radio City challenge

By TOM STRINI
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
January 26, 2004

The Milwaukee Ballet's "Nutcracker" held its own in the face of competition from the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular.

The ballet attracted 31,805 customers during the 2003 run of 16 public performances for 95.82% of available seats at Uihlein Hall. The company drew 32,153 in 2002, but with 18 performances that came to just 80.33% of capacity.