Sometimes You Feel Like a Nutcracker

For many families, attending a performance of Tchaikovsky's classic fairy-tale ballet, The Nutcracker, is an annual holiday tradition. Besides the fact that this work takes place on a Christmas Eve, its strong sense of wonder leads to deep winter dreams. Adults will feel romantic, the kids will clam up, and all will be enchanted by the mice and fairies and swordplay. This spectacle will be particularly spectacular at the Fox Theatre (527 North Grand Boulevard) since the Joffrey Ballet, along with its elegant sets and intricate costumes, teams up with the Ballet Orchestra of St. Louis and more than 150 (that's right, 150!) area children. The magic unfolds onstage at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, at 2 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, and at 1 p.m. on Sunday (December 5 through 9). Tickets range from $20 to $75 and are available at the Fox box office as well as through MetroTix (314-534-1111 or www.metrotix.com).
Dec. 5-9, 2007