It's time for fancy tutus, sugar plum fairies and toys to come to life as renditions of the ballet classic "The Nutcracker" are being performed on stages all over Tucson.
Here are a few places in town you and your family can enjoy this holiday dancing spectacular. Ranging from the $ to the $$$.
"A Southwest Nutcracker" featuring the Tucson Symphony Orchestra
This version of the Nutcracker will please any desert dweller as it takes place in Tucson during the 1800s. Go on a journey with Maria and Nutcracker General to the snowy tops of Mount Lemmon and encounter dancing coyotes, rattlesnakes, tumbleweeds, chili peppers, and of course the Prickly Pear Fairy.
The classic music for the show will be performed by the Tucson Symphony Orchestra; such a holiday treat for the ears.
When: Saturday, Dec. 10, showtimes at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 11, 2 p.m.
Where: Tucson Music Hall, 260 South Church Avenue
Cost: $30-36, purchase tickets at the Tucson Convention Center box office an hour or so before the show or through ticketmaster.com.
Moscow Ballet's "Great Russian Nutcracker"
If you want the original Nutcracker experience, the Moscow Ballet will be preforming the classic version of the tale in Centennial Hall.
Oooh and awe at the beautiful costumes, hand-painted sets and a 60-foot Christmas tree. And if that doesn't do it, throw in a rose-shooting cannon meant to symbolize world peace, according to the Moscow's Ballet's website.
Nearly 40 classically trained dancers are expected to preform, you might even see a few Tucson youth dancers on stage.
When: Monday, Dec. 12, at 7 p.m.; Tuesday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m.
Where: Centennial Hall, 1020 East University Blvd.
Cost: $33-78, purchase through ticketmaster.com.
Nutcracker 2016: Presented by A Time To Dance
The youth ballet of A Time to Dance is performing the full-length version of the Nutcracker at the Edward B. Berger Performing Arts Center.
Be sure to follow their Facebook page for updates and daily dance motivation.
When: Friday, Dec. 16, 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 17, 2 p.m.
Where: Edward B. Berger Performing Arts Center, 1200 West Speedway Blvd.
Cost: $8 before the day of show, call 520-272-3400 for tickets; $10 the day of show. Cash or check only.
BC Dance the Nutcracker and Little Match Girl
Get double the entertainment as the the Ballet Conservatory of Dance Music and Arts dances the Nutcracker and Little Match Girl at the Pima Community College Center of the Arts.
Look at this behind-the-scenes video of them practicing the number "tea" below.
When: Saturday, Dec. 17, 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Where: Pima Community College Center of the Arts, 2202 West Anklam Road.
Cost: $17-20, order tickets through tututix.com.
Ballet Rincon’s “The Nutcracker Ballet”
Ballet Rincon’s “The Nutcracker Ballet”
This is the 15th year the Ballet Rincon Academy of Dance is performing the Tchaikovsky masterpiece.
Featured guest dancers for this year include Bo Brinton, Donovan Kennedy, Mark Nichols and Michael Veluz.
Get there early and enjoy a lobby preshow from of the Vail Youth Symphony, ahead of the Dec. 16 performance, a capella barbershop quartet Cheaper Than Therapy, ahead of the Dec. 17 afternoon performance, and jazz musician Brice Winston, ahead of the Dec. 17 evening performance.
When: Friday, Dec. 16, 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 17, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Where: Vail Theatre of the Arts, 10701 E. Mary Ann Cleveland Way.
Cost: $10-16, purchase tickets at ballet-rincon.com.
Ballet Tucson's "The Nutcracker"
Ballet Tucson’s “Nutcracker.”
This is your last chance this year to see Clara go on a Journey through the Land of Snow and Kingdom.
Ballet Tucson is bringing the holiday dancing season to a close with their performance of "The Nutcracker Ballet" at the Tucson Music hall just a few days before Christmas.
When: Thursday, Dec. 22, 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 23, 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 24, 1 p.m.
Where: Tucson Music Hall, 260 South Church Avenue.
Cost: $15-60, you can purchase tickets at ticketmaster.com.
