“The Nutcracker” heralds the holidays as much as any seasonal signifier, a rite invoking memories through dynamic choreography and Tchaikovsky’s romantic score.
It’s inextricable from the season — and the one time of the year many of us get to see any kind of dance production (much like our once-a-year religious experiences). It’s populist entertainment with a classical edge, and it’s as ubiquitous as ever.
Here are just a few of our picks for the area’s best “Nutcracker” productions in the coming weeks.
Colorado Ballet
The state’s biggest and best “Nutcracker” features a 40-piece orchestra and the type of artistry, energy and production values we’ve come to expect from the Colorado Ballet. Saturday- Dec. 27. Ellie Caulkins Opera House. 303-837-8888 or .
Ballet Nouveau Colorado
Artistic director Garrett Ammon’s emotive choreography can’t help but inform traditional productions like “The Nutcracker.” Stay after the performance to take the stage with the dancers and learn a few steps. Dec. 11-13 and Dec. 18-20. Performing Arts Complex at Pinnacle Charter School. 303-466-5685 or .
The Moscow Ballet
This company’s annual trek across Colorado includes stops at Grand Junction’s Avalon Theatre, Dec. 3, and Denver’s Paramount Theatre, Dec. 4-5. Russian prima ballerina Cristina Terentieva and her partner, Alexei, bring classical training and flair to Moscow’s version. 866-461-6556 or .
David Taylor Dance Theatre
The Lakewood Cultural Center hosts this longtime Front Range company in its “Nutcracker” Dec. 17-23, which has typically sold out its performances in recent years. The educational “behind- the-scenes” version, “The Nutcracker in a Nutshell,” also runs the mornings of Dec. 15-16. 303-987-7876 or /culturalcenter.
Boulder Ballet
The company’s season-opening production is bolstered by music from the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra at Macky Auditorium, today-Sunday, and the Longmont Symphony Orchestra at Vance Brand Civic Auditorium, Dec. 5-6. 303-443-0028 or boulderballet .
Ballet Ariel
Ballet Ariel isn’t afraid to spice up its “Nutcracker” by injecting a dancing ninja doll into the ballet’s frenetic party scene. Dec. 6, Dec. 12-13. Cleo Parker Robinson Theatre. 303-282-9828 or .
Colorado Springs Philharmonic
Thomas Wilson conducts the music for this version, which runs today-Sunday and features 200 local dancers and singers — with help from the San Diego Ballet. Pikes Peak Center. Dec. 27-29. 719-575-9632 or .
Classical Dance Theatre
This company marks a milestone by performing its 20th annual “Nutcracker” this year. Today-Sunday. D.L. Parsons Theatre at the Northglenn Community Center. Call 303-420-5613 for reservations.
Sangre de Cristo Ballet Theatre
Community guest appearances Kathie Bassett, Julie Anaya and others (as Mother Ginger, the giant gingerbread house who opens her skirt to reveal children dancing onto the stage) help invigorate this southern Colorado company’s 10th annual production. Dec. 3-6. Sangre de Cristo Arts & Conference Center. 719-295-7222 or .
Classical Youth Ballet
Rampart High School Theatre in Colorado Springs hosts this company’s production Dec. 19-21, featuring an introduction by “The Great Tchaikovsky” (as channeled by an actor, of course) and tea and sweets after the show. 719-272-7078 or coclassical .
Zamuel Ballet School
Zamuel’s “Nutcracker” features guest artist Ivan Putrov of England’s acclaimed Royal Ballet Company at Colorado Springs’ Mitchell Theater Dec. 5-6. 719-570-1441 or .
John Wenzel: 303-954-1642 or jwenzel@denverpost.com
