Wild, wonderful and oddly traditional, the ‘Nutcracker’ again will be out in full force this season, along with delightful alternative holiday dance events — the kind of celebrations the Bay Area does so well. Many of the shows are family-friendly; refreshments are offered at some. In chronological order, here’s the list for 2012:
Mark Foehringer’s Nutcracker Sweets
With five shows each weekend in December, the local contemporary troupe’s fun take on the classic “Nutcracker” — a colorful 50-minute version designed especially for kids — is in its fourth year.
- When: Dec. 1-23
- Where: Southside Theater, Building D, Fort Mason, Marina Boulevard and Buchanan Street, S.F.
- Contact: (415) 345-7575, www.mfdpsf.org
S.F. Ballet
The company that launched the national “Nutcracker” craze in 1944 produces a lavish, world-class production that dazzles year in and out.
- When: Dec. 7-28
- Where: War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Ave., S.F.
- Contact: (415) 865-2000, www.sfballet.org
The Velveteen Rabbit
ODC/Dance presents its popular dance adaptation of the classic children’s book, using members of the company and ODC/Dance students. A milk-and-cookies party, which requires a separate ticket, follows the Nov. 25 show.
- When: Nov. 23-Dec. 9
- Where: Lam Research Theater, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 700 Howard St., S.F.
- Contact: (415) 978-2787, www.ybca.org, www.odcdance.org
Peninsula Youth Ballet
Ayako Takahashi directs the troupe in its 18th annual “Nutcracker,” with professional guest artists. Separate tickets may be purchased for a post-performance tea party.
- When: 2 p.m. Nov. 24-25, 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 1, 2 p.m. Dec. 2
- Where: Bayside Performing Arts Center, 2025 Kehoe Ave., San Mateo
- Contact: (650) 286-0241, www.pyb.org
Ballet America
Terrin Kelly and Alec Lytton are the professional guest artists in this full-length “Nutcracker” produced by the Redwood City troupe.
- When: 7 p.m. Dec. 7
- Where: Fox Theatre, 2215 Broadway, Redwood City
- Contact: (650) 369-7770, www.balletamerica.org
Western Ballet Company
Led by artistic director Alexi Zubiría, the troupe presents its 36th annual holiday rendition of the “Nutcracker.”
- When: 7 p.m. Dec. 7, 1 and 7 p.m. Dec. 8, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Dec. 9
- Where: Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St., Mountain View
- Contact: (650) 903-6000, www.mvcpa.com
Dance-Along Nutcracker
The San Francisco Lesbian-Gay Freedom Band invites children and adults to twirl along to Tchaikovsky; this year’s show has a “Hollywood Holiday” theme. Saturday night’s performance for adults only includes a gala cocktail dance party. Tutus encouraged.
- When: 2:30 and 7 p.m. Dec. 8, 1 p.m. Dec. 9
- Where: Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 701 Mission St., S.F.
- Contact: (415) 978-2787, www.ybca.org
Marin Ballet
The troupe’s 50th anniversary season features the “Nutcracker” choreographed by Julia Adam, with more than 200 dancers ages 8-18 and guest artists Travis Bradley and Robert Dekkers.
- When: 1 and 7 p.m. Dec. 8, 1 and 5 p.m. Dec. 9
- Where: Marin Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium, 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael
- Contact: (415) 499-6800, www.marinballet.org
The Hard Nut
Mark Morris Dance Group returns to the East Bay for its popular 1950s-style “Nutcracker” alternative with Tchaikovsky’s original score.
- When: Dec. 14-23
- Where: Zellerbach Hall, UC Berkeley, Bancroft Way at Dana Street, Berkeley
- Contact: (510) 642-9988, www.calperformances.org
Smuin Ballet
Smuin’s pop-friendly “The Christmas Ballet” includes new choreography by Amy Siewert, Jane Rehm and Darren Anderson.
- When: Dec. 14-23
- Where: Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 700 Howard St., S.F.
- Contact: (415) 912-1899, www.smuinballet.org
A Winter Fairy Tale
Bayer Ballet Academy’s holiday program, inspired by Russian New Year’s Eve, has magical fairyland creatures and animated toys with music by Tchaikovsky and Rimsky-Korsakov.
- When: 7 p.m. Dec. 14, 5:30 p.m. Dec. 16, 2:30 p.m. Dec. 16
- Where: Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St., Mountain View
- Contact: (650) 903-6000, www.bayerballetacademy.com
Peninsula Ballet Theatre
In good hands with artistic director Bruce Steivel, the troupe presents the “Nutcracker,” now in its 42nd year.
- When: 7 p.m. Dec. 15, 2 p.m. Dec. 16 and Dec. 23, 4 p.m. Dec. 22
- Where: Fox Theatre, 2215 Broadway, Redwood City
- Contact: (650) 342-3262, www.peninsulaballet.org
S.F. Youth Ballet
A key training ground for local dancers, the youth company performs a full-length “Nutcracker” for the 12th year.
- When: 1 and 5 p.m. Dec. 15-16
- Where: Mercy High School Theatre, 3250 19th Ave., S.F.
- Contact: (415) 731-2237, www.sanfranciscoyouthballet.org
Jewish Nutcracker
World Dance Fusion presents director Katy Alaniz Rous’ new interpretation of the classic piece; it tells the story of Hanukkah and includes dance forms choreographed to diverse musical themes of the traditional “Nutcracker” second act.
- When: Dec. 19-23
- Where: ODC Theater, 3153 17th St., S.F.
- Contact: www.jewishnutcracker.com
Oakland Ballet Company
The troupe presents artistic director Graham Lustig’s popular interpretation of the “Nutcracker,” with live music courtesy of the Oakland East Bay Symphony, conducted by Michael Morgan.
- When: 2 p.m. Dec. 22-23, 11 a.m. Dec. 24
- Where: Paramount Theatre, 2025 Broadway, Oakland
- Contact: www.oaklandballet.org
Moscow Ballet
Vaganova Academy-trained dancers have performed “The Great Russian Nutcracker” in North America for 20 years. This year’s principals — Olga Kifyak, Ion Kuroshu and Karyna Shatkovskaya — have won awards at major international dance competitions.
- When: 3 and 7 p.m. Dec. 23
- Where: Wells Fargo Center for the Arts, 50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa
- Contact: (707) 546-3600, www.nutcracker.com
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