The Empire State Building is shining in blue including a large flickering candle in honor of the eight nights of Hanukkah! Our new 3T roving photographer, Nicole Rubens shares her photos of NYC’s holiday magic. Grab your favorite people and celebrate the joy and wonder of the season with New York City Ballet’s landmark production of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker® from the comfort of your home. Another treat is the Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Gardens. Valerie Smaldone has the scoop on A Twist on Seuss to Support the Broadway Green Alliance…and fine dining in a trailer. And our Broadway Babe has more fab streaming finds.

Meet our Roving Photographer

We’re so excited that Nicole Freezer Rubens is now our NYC roving photographer and she is sharing some of her magical NYC holiday photos below. Nicole is the author of the beautiful and poignant book of poems and photos, The Long Pause and the Short Breath (The Three Tomatoes Book Publishing.) Nicole’s favorite pastime is exploring New York City’s neighborhoods. Follow her on Instagram@nfrconsult.

Dec. 11-Jan. 3. George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®

Celebrate the joy and wonder of the season with New York City Ballet’s landmark production of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®. Captured in December 2019 on their home stage at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, this performance is now available for renting. What a great treat for and your loved ones this year.

Tschaikovsky’s iconic score, conducted by Andrew Litton and performed by the 62-piece New York City Ballet Orchestra, will whisk you away on a heartwarming adventure through the eyes of the pint-sized heroine Marie. You’ll battle an army of mice and get swept up in a blizzard of snowflakes on your way to a fantastical land made entirely of candy. With hundreds of delightfully costumed characters, spectacular feats of fancy, and a magnificent tree that never ceases to awe, it’s no wonder this production has been the hottest holiday ticket in New York City for nearly 70 years.  You rent it for $25.

Nov. 12-Jan. 31. Holiday Train Show®

If you’ve ever experienced this at the New York Botanical Gardens, you know how special it is.  This is the 29th year of model trains zipping through an enchanting display of famous New York landmarks—imagine the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, Rockefeller Center, and other favorites—each delightfully re-created from natural materials such as birch bark, acorns, and cinnamon sticks. Because of limited capacity however, you must be a member to get tickets.  And what a wonderful gift a membership would be this year. Get the details.

Now Streaming: Alan Cuming Cabaret, Lerner and Lowe, Tovah Feldshuh, Best of Broadway

Randie Levine Miller says you will love Alan Cumming in this 1993 very raw portryla of the Emcee in the original London Cabaret. There’s a fabulous Lerner and Lowe tribute featuring Julie Andrews and Robert Goulet among other stars. Watch the interview with Tovah Feldshuh— I hosted a star studded tribute in her honor, at the Friars Club in 2009. And you’ll love this Broadway Tribute from Ed Sullivan. Watch now.

Get the book.