The famous Russian-born ballet director George Balanchine created his own version of "The Nutcracker" for the New York City Ballet.

VOA: special.2010.12.22

He also created set designs for "The Nutcracker" ballet by Tchaikovsky and "The Magic Flute" opera by Mozart.

VOA: special.2009.10.05

Many of the people watching "The Nutcracker" that night did not like the ballet either and criticized it.

VOA: special.2010.12.22

Even the mighty New York City Ballet, whose 57-year-old production of "George Balanchine's The Nutcracker" is often held up as the ballet's gold standard, is experimenting with a way to stretch its "Nutcracker" dollars and reach a wider demographic.

WSJ: Nutcracker Inc.

His work for the English National Ballet includes the Nutcracker and the award-winning Double Concerto.

BBC: Christopher Hampson to be new Scottish Ballet director

Still, the Oregon Ballet Theatre is set to retire its Balanchine "Nutcracker" in the near future.

WSJ: Nutcracker Inc.