In the most unprecedented move since their 2008 announcement that Alexei Ratmansky would become their first-ever artist-in-residence, American Ballet Theatre has just announced that as of next winter, they will begin putting on an all-new, Ratmansky-choreographed Nutcracker at BAM as part of a new five-year partnership between the two institutions. David H. Koch, the new patron saint of ballet at Lincoln Center, is underwriting the production with a lead matching gift of $2.5 million — so we know to expect a world-class Nut (lighting is by Jennifer Tipton, costumes and scenery by Richard Hudson). ABT’s is the first production that could be considered a viable challenge to New York City Ballet’s iconic production. Its first season will run sixteen performances, starting December 23, 2010. [NYT]
