The variety and diversity of Nutcracker productions across the globe is one of the best things about Christmas. On one hand, you have the New York City Ballet, which is slavishly devoted to George Balanchine’s 1954 choreography and staging — including faithfully re-creating the costumes over and over again. On the other hand, you have San Diego’s Golden State Ballet, which has modified the choreo of the “Russian Dance” to include one Mr. Tony Hawk. On his Instagram, Hawk said he was invited to do a one-off cameo in the ballet and said yes mainly to make his daughter LOL. “Sometimes you just have to say yes to things WAY outside your comfort zone, especially when your daughter thinks is funny,” he wrote. Hawk also helpfully included his 15 seconds of ballet fame in the carousel.
Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker was first performed in 1982 by the Russian Imperial Ballet in St. Petersburg. Since then, it’s become the most-performed ballet in history. Especially in North America, it has become a staple of the holiday season. That’s why, on TikTok, you can see dozens of different corps de ballet throwing ass dressed like rats (or mice; they’re kind of interchangeable in Nutcrackers). Rats are twerking to Tyla and taking selfies with Tony Hawk? Sounds like Christmas to me.
