Sarah Jessica Parker to Co-Host Holiday Event on Ovation

LOS ANGELES: Ovation has slated its annual holiday programming event as Battle of the Nutcrackers: Dance Off, which will be co-hosted by Sarah Jessica Parker and Damian Woetzel.

Debuting December 6, Battle of the Nutcrackers: Dance Off will start with the U.S. television premiere of the Royal Opera House’s rendition of The Nutcracker at 8 p.m. Each night the channel will then feature a different production of the ballet. Viewers can vote for their favorite performance online at ovationtv.com. The winner will be revealed on Christmas Eve. A marathon of all the Nutcracker productions will air all day long on Christmas Day.

Parker, who is trained in classical ballet and sits on the board of the NY City Ballet, and Woetzel, an international ballet star who is the former senior principal dancer for the New York City Ballet, will introduce each of the productions. The co-hosts will also provide commentary and insight about the ballet companies, the dancers and the tradition of The Nutcracker.

“Dance has been a lifelong passion of mine, and The Nutcracker is a beautiful and iconic ballet that is enjoyed by people of all ages and cultures,” commented Parker. “Damian and I are excited to share our love of this art form and celebrate both the world of ballet and the holiday season with Ovation viewers.”

"The Nutcracker has been an important part of my life ever since I first appeared onstage in the ballet as a seven year old in Boston," added Woetzel. "As a holiday tradition, The Nutcracker has likely introduced more people to the thrilling art of ballet than any other, and Ovation extends that most valuable and entertaining introduction every year through their wonderful Battle of the Nutcrackers. As hosts of the event, we hope to connect viewers to these performances like never before."