Following getting sidelined throughout the bleak pandemic winter season of 2020, George Balanchine’s magical “Nutcracker” for New York City Ballet is back, reminding us that this almost 70-year-aged creation remains the gold typical for Nutcrackers in all places. And it can be hunting new, by some means.

At a performance past 7 days, early in the run at Lincoln Center’s David H. Koch Theater, the viewers appeared just as enthusiastic as in earlier a long time, even if it was a largely adult group. Due to the fact universities had been still in session, but also because of vaccine restrictions restricting audience associates to all those aged adequate to be vaccinated or to younger children with a negative PCR test, the common age has risen.

But that doesn’t imply the childish marvel has dissipated. There were being nonetheless gasps, as when the giant tree at the Stahlbaum home grew bigger and increased, or when the Nutcracker Prince quickly get rid of his wood self and remodeled into a handsome human prince. There were being even now laughs when the Mouse King succumbed substantially in fight, feet flexed stiffly in the air, and when Mother Ginger ambled onstage with her large skirt full of spritely Polichinelles.

There are modifications onstage, far too: Costumes have been remade, to accommodate the small children in the solid who are older (and taller) this yr, also due to the fact of vaccine regulations. (The costumes have been specifically developed so they can be altered back again for young little ones in upcoming several years.) The ankle-size get together attire in Act I were surely on the lookout crisp. And the little ones in the forged looked extra mature, incorporating to the depth of their acting. This 12 months, they were being forged from ballet colleges all-around the town, not just the…