The New York Times recently reported that audiences around the nation now can find the perennial favorite “The Nutcracker” performed in a hip-hop version, a dance-along version, even “Macabee: The Jewish Nutcracker — A Hanukkah Story.”
While the variety isn’t quite that diverse around Puget Sound, there still are many opportunities to see the Sugar Plum Fairy dance.
The beloved holiday story follows Clara and her Nutcracker Prince. There’s a fanciful Christmas Eve party, snow storms with dancing mice and, of course, a famous fight with a Mouse King.
Pacific Northwest Ballet’s wonderful interpretation was choreographed by Kent Stowell, the company’s former artistic director. Stowell collaborated with children’s author and illustrator Maurice Sendak, of the famous “Where the Wild Things Are,” to create magical and memorable sets.
The annual performance, seen since its debut in 1983, is a terrific way to introduce classical dance to younger audiences (and maybe even inspire a little one to audition for a part next year).
Taking the entire family to see the holiday favorite at McCaw Hall can add up quickly. Tickets start at $26.
If you want to save a few bucks and still see the ballet and hear Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s score, plenty of performances are scheduled right here Snohomish and Island counties, and beyond.
Olympic Ballet Theatre
•2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 11 and 2 p.m. Dec. 12 at Everett Performing Arts Center, 2710 Wetmore Ave, Everett
2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 18 or 3 p.m. Dec. 19 at Edmonds Center for the Arts, 410 Fourth Ave N., Edmonds
Tickets: $20 to $30; www.brownpapertickets.com.
Emerald Ballet Theatre
•2 p.m. Dec. 4, 5 and 12, 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 11, Northshore Performing Arts Center, 18125 92nd Ave. NE, Bothell
Tickets: $15 to $30; 425-408-7988; www.npacf.org.
Alderwood Dance Spectrum’s “A Storybook Nutcracker”
•9:45 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. Thursday, 7 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9 through 11, PUD Auditorium, 2320 California St., Everett
Tickets: $15; 425-771-2994; 800-838-3006, www.brownpapertickets.com.
Whidbey Island Dance Theatre
•7:30 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, Dec. 10 through 18, S. Whidbey High School performing arts center, 5675 S. Maxwelton Road, Langley
Tickets: $17 to $22 advance, $15 all seats opening night, $22 all seats at door; discount details at 360-341-2221; www.widtonline.org.
Skagit Valley Academy of Dance
•7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3 through 5, McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon
Tickets: $20 to $35; 360-416-7727, ext. 2; www.mcintyrehall.org.
Pacific Northwest Ballet
•7:30 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, 1 and 5:30 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 26 through Dec. 26, plus 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Dec. 9 through 23, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21 and 23, 1 and 5:30 p.m. Dec. 27, McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St.;
Tickets: $26 and up; 206-441-2424; www.pnb.org.
Jackson Holtz: 425-339-3437; jholtz@heraldnet.com.
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