From Sesame Street to the Simpsons and rubber chickens, Tchaikovsky’s classic has been given some interesting treatments through the years. Here’s our pick of 11 of the best (and the worst.)
1. The Simpsons — Cause Christmas Eve is Here
“Why should I care it’s all humbug.” — Montgomery Burns
2. Sesame Street
Elmo gets down with Jamie Foxx for The Nutcracker Mash.
3. Walt Disney’s Fantasia
The classic 1940 Walt Disney film featured dancing animated fairies, fish, flowers, mushrooms and leaves. No actual nutcracker is ever seen in this version.
4. The Nutcracker and the Four Realms
Mackenzie Foy, Morgan Freeman, Keira Knightley and Helen Mirren star in Disney’s latest holiday film.
5. Pentatonix — Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy
Part of their 2014 holiday album, the a cappella quintet gave their signature treatment to the Nutcracker classic.
6. Barbie in the Nutcracker
Barbie plays the role of Clara. What else can we say?
7. Line Rider — Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies
There’s something so satisfying about these Line Rider doodles, set to music. Which sledder will win — orange, blue, or green scarf?
8. Care Bears: The Nutcracker
Surprisingly, Rotten Tomatoes gives the Care Bears Nutcracker an audience score of 81%.
9. Royal Ballet — Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy
As your reward for getting this far, here is Lauren Cuthbertson performing the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.
10. Tetris
Tchaikovsky, distilled to 8-bit electronic noises. If you fall behind, the game nicely speeds up the music to throw you into panic.
11. TwoSet Violins
Australian YouTubers Brett Yang and Eddy Chen have given the rubber chicken treatment to Toto’s Africa and Mahler’s Fifth, and now Tchaikovsky’s Waltz of the Flowers from the Nutcracker.
“The Nutcracker” is featured in the ‘Tis the Symphony holiday concerts, Saturday, December 22 at the Lesher Center in Walnut Creek.
Tickets start at $42 / $20 for kids and students under 25 with valid student I.D. at californiasymphony.org or call the Lesher Center Box Office at 925.943.SHOW.
