The New York City Ballet opened the 2008-2009 season this week at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center. It was a star studded affair with such familar faces as Sarah Jessica Parker, Candace Busnell, Blythe Danner, Vanessa Williams, Mark Indelicato, Veronica Webb and Rachel Roy.

According to BroadwayWorld.com, "New York City Ballet gave its first performance of George Balanchine's The Nutcracker in February, 1954. Since then, the Company has danced 1,560 performances. During the holiday period, the entire Company is immersed in activities surrounding George Balanchine's The Nutcracker."

The theater opened on April 23, 1964; but new state-of-the-art renovations will help bring this season's ballet to life. The Lincoln Center theater hasn't officially been dedicated to David H. Koch, but it has already assumed the name.