I hadn't seen the Nutcracker in about 20 years (which is a weird thing to be able to say), but I don't remember it pandering to children as much then as it did now. Also, the Nutcracker had a giant man's mask, not a nutcracker mask, and the bandage around his neck was mysteriously missing. Some of the dances had too much to take in going on all over the stage - made me feel ADD.