Friday-Saturday. Unless you’re obligated to see your niece dance the part of a sugarplum fairy in her school’s production of “The Nutcracker,” the myriad versions of this holiday classic are pretty easy to dismiss. However, Moscow Ballet’s annual touring extravaganza exudes an authority and artistry that’s truly worthy of the subject matter. Acclaimed dancers Anatolie Ustimov, Alisa Voronova, Olga Pasternak and Fedir Zarodyshev lead a cast of traditionalists who treat “The Great Russian Nutcracker” as the spectacular, globe-spanning institution that it is. Moscow Ballet’s North American tour will swing by the Paramount Theatre with shows at 7 p.m. Dec. 12 and 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Dec. 13. 1621 Glenarm Place. $28-$88. 303-623-0106 or . John Wenzel
