New York City Ballet principal dancer Peter Boal danced his first “Nutcracker” in 1977. Since then, he’s performed a variety of male roles in the ballet, including the Nutcracker Prince in 1978. On Friday night, he put on yet another costume for the first time: Herr Drosselmeir.

This non-dancing character is on stage briefly but is central to the plot. Drosselmeir is the cape-wearing family friend who gives Marie, his goddaughter, a nutcracker for Christmas. He introduces her to his little nephew, who then becomes the Nutcracker Prince in her dream.

The role requires a dynamic performer who can captivate the children in the Christmas party scene – and, hopefully, the children in the audience. When Drosselmeir enters the ballet in Act I, the party is in full swing, and the little ones are fascinated by him. Why not? He does magic tricks. He wears an eye patch. And he comes bearing toys like life-size dolls.

There is a great deal of leeway for the actor in choosing how to present the character. Drosselmeir can appear dark and crafty. He can have an ornate mystery in his movements. He can also be played just a little bit nutty.

In his debut, Mr. Boal created a courtly gentleman, more elegant than creepy. There was an aristocratic formality to him, even when he scared the children by turning suddenly and holding up his hands with fingers splayed out like claws. His Drosselmeir is one of dramatic pauses and quick gestures. Frequent Boal-watchers won’t be surprised to hear he played the role like he dances: princely and clean.

The evening’s performance yielded a number of other highlights. Teresa Reichlen gave the sultry movements of the Coffee solo a more lush look than on opening night. She seems to be taking her time and slowing things down. Miranda Weese, as Dewdrop, gave a solid, bright performance, with some beautifully held arabesques.

As the Sugarplum Fairy, Alexandra Ansanelli was pretty and sweet, but just this side of plastic in her entrance. In her legwork, on the other hand, she is so solid and physically strong, she’s just a wonder to watch. Her pas de deux with her Cavalier, Benjamin Millepied, was dazzling. His carriage is regal, but also buoyant. When he flies, he soars with delicacy and a sense of purpose.

The leading children, Ghaleb Kayali and Isabella DeVivo, gave their roles spunk. Seeing these two take their bows with the outgoing Mr. Boal (who is set to take over Pacific Northwest Ballet next year) pulled at the heartstrings, indeed.

***

For a very different take on the Christmas classic, there’s “Nut/Cracked”by David Parker and the Bang Group at Dance Theater Workshop.This 65-minute show is a thoroughly enjoyable series of humorous sketches that are every bit as musical as the big show uptown.

Mr. Parker uses popular versions of the Tchaikovsky music – interpreted by Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, and Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians – for the first half of the program.The second half uses the traditional score.

There were some moments during this show when I laughed uncontrollably. One was during the portion titled “Tree,” in which Mr. Parker lies in the fetal position with a 3-foot plastic Christmas tree hidden from the audience.

He raises it ever so slowly, just as the tree grows in Balanchine’s version and with the same music. When he is finally standing, holding the tree above his head, he flicks a switch that turns on about 10 tiny lights – just as the music reaches its magnificent crescendo.

Mr. Parker has an impressive sense of musical timing and the value of percussive sounds (feet tapping, hands slapping the floor), which he works in throughout the show. And “Nut/Cracked” has moments of quite good choreography, such as the wacky trio that exchange a plastic rose between their teeth to the music of the Snow Pas de Deux.

There are some limp moments in the piece, and Mr. Parker relies too much on people falling down to get a laugh. But on the whole, it’s a hoot – a fresh, imaginative way of looking at an all-too familiar ballet. “Nut/Cracked” is where “Nutcracker” ennui goes to die.

“The Nutcracker” will be performed at the New York State Theater December 20-23 and 27-30 at 6 p.m.; December 20, 22, 23, 27 & 29 at 2 p.m.; December 26 and January 2 at 1 p.m.; December 26 and January 2 at 5 p.m. (Lincoln Center, 212-870-5570).

“Nut/Cracked” will be performed again tonight, December 21 & 22 at 7:30 p.m. (219 W. 19th Street, between Seventh & Eighth Avenues, 212-924-0077).