Attending a performance of The Nutcracker is practically required this time of year. The beautiful music and the holiday-centric story line call to mind the enchantment of Christmases of yore, bringing to life a make-believe world where good triumphs over evil and everyone has a merry Christmas. Saint Louis Ballet stages this holiday classic at Washington University's Edison Theatre (6445 Forsyth Boulevard) at 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and at 5:30 p.m. Sunday (December 12 through 21), with special narrated, 70-minute versions happening at various times on Saturday and Sunday afternoons throughout the run. Saint Louis Ballet's take on the tale is set in World's Fair-era St. Louis, with the Mouse King and the Nutcracker fighting it out old-school St. Louis-style — and gracefully, we might add. Tickets to the ballet cost $25 to $35 and can be purchased through MetroTix (314-534-1111 or www.metrotix.com). Learn more by visiting www.stlouisballet.org.
Thursdays-Sundays. Starts: Dec. 12. Continues through Dec. 21, 2008