In the Bay Area, you can find a performance of the Nutcracker everywhere you turn. The editors at SFkids have compiled this list to help you sort through the holiday offerings. Take your pick, or catch more than one performance. Make reservations now and don't miss at least one of these holiday treats.
San Francisco Ballet's Nutcracker
Audiences of all ages will marvel at the magic and wonderment of this stunning production that played to unanimous critical acclaim and sold-out audiences in its first two seasons.
Shows daily from December 8 to 27 (except December 14 and 25). Visit the website for tickets and more information. Bring an unwrapped new toy or unused book for the San Francisco Firefighters Toy Program.
$18–$198 per person
http://www.sfballet.org/performancestickets/nutcracker.asp
War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Avenue. (415) 865-2000.
City Ballet Nutcracker at Fort Mason
City Ballet School presents Nutcracker with classical Russian Vaganova-based training, choreographed by the finest teachers, and modeled after Artistic Director Galina Alexandrova's own training at the Bolshoi Academy in Moscow.
December 12–13, 2pm and 7pm
$24.50 per person
http://www.cityballetschool.org
Cowell Theatre, Fort Mason Center. (415) 345-7575.
The Dance-Along Nutcracker at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
Bah Humbug! A Christmas Carol gets nutty! This is the most fun your kids will have this holiday season! Get all dressed up and join the San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band for the show that mixes Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite with tutu rentals, a costumed Sousa band, and an audience of Sugar Plum wannabes.
December 12–13
$24 per adult, $16 per child or senior
http://www.sflgfb.org
701 Mission Street (at 3rd Street). (415) 255-1355.
The Nutcracker at Zeum
Created for children of all ages, Choreographer Mark Foehringer and ensemble cast, give a contemporary twist on the classic holiday ballet. Opening night on December 4; December 5–20
$25 per person
http://www.zeum.org
221 4th Street (at Howard Street). (415) 820-3320.
San Francisco Youth Ballet Theatre' Nutcracker
SFYBT offers an annual specially-priced holiday performance for community and family based organizations.
December 19, 2pm, 400 seats are available at $5 and will be sold on a first come first served basis.
Regular-priced performances are on Saturday, December 19 at 7pm and Sunday, December 20 at 2pm.
http://www.sanfranciscoyouthballet.org
Mercy High School Theater, 3250 19th Avenue. (415) 731-2237.
Mark Morris's Hard Nut
Set to Tchaikovsky's complete original score (performed by the Berkeley Symphony), Hard Nut is a whimsical (some say hysterical) nutcracker using unique settings and '60s holiday party antics, as well as the usual leaping snowflakes, wayward waltzing flowers, and a deeply moving pas de deux.
December 11–20
Tickets start at $36
Special Pricing for Young Audiences: Youth 16 and under save 50% on single-ticket prices for the Fri, Dec 11 and Thu & Fri, Dec 17 & 18 performances.
http://www.calperfs.berkeley.edu/presents/
Zellerbach Hall, Berkeley
Westlake School for the Performing Arts' Nutcracker at the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre
See a full-length performance of Nutcracker by one of the Bay Area’s finest dance and performing arts academies.
December 5–6, 2pm
$25–$30
http://www.wspadance.com
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre, 3301 Lyon (at Bay). (650) 757-1244.
Marin Ballet’s Nutcracker at Marin Veterans' Memorial Auditorium in San Rafael
Marin Ballet's full-length production of the Nutcracker is the jewel in their performance crown. It is an event anticipated by dancers and the Marin community alike - no holiday season would be complete without it.
December 12–13
$35 per adult, $23 for seniors and children 12 and under
http://www.marinballet.org
10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. (415) 453-6705.
Peninsula Ballet Theatre's Nutcracker at San Mateo Center for Performing Arts
Peninsula Ballet Theatre is the second oldest professional dance company in the Bay Area. The company's artistic directors, Michael Lowe and Mario Alonzo, have assembled the Bay Area's finest dancers for its traditional performance of this wonderful ballet.
December 12–13 and 19–20, 2pm and 4pm
$8–$50
http://www.peninsulaballet.org
San Mateo Center for Performing Arts, 600 N Delaware Street, San Mateo. (650) 342-3262.
Ballet San Jose's Nutcracker at San Jose Center for the Performing Arts
Enjoy the Silicon Valley's version of the famous classic ballet masterpiece under the direction of Dennis Nahat and with music from Symphony Silicon Valley.
December 10–27
$30–$85
http://www.balletsj.org
255 Almaden, San Jose. (408) 288-2800.
Ballet America’s Nutcracker at Sequoia High School in Redwood City
This rousing hometown favorite plays every year to two sold-out school matinees and two public performances.
December 11–12
$20–$35
http://www.balletamerica.org
Carrington Hall, Sequoia High School, 1201 Brewster Avenue, Redwood City.