There are plenty of opportunities to catch Fritz, Clara,
the Sugar Plum Fairy and mice aplenty this month. cc For many, it just isn’t Christmastime without taking in a by a full symphony orchestra. Four performances: December 14 performance of The Nutcracker ballet, the classic tale of a young at 8 PM; December 15 at 2 PM and 8 PM; December 16 at 2 PM. girl who receives a special gift from her uncle at her family’s Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts, $21-$60. annual holiday party. While the story is essentially timeless, each live production is different. Here are six presented in 12/16: East Coast Ballet Northeast Florida this month. This version brings together classical music, costumes, and dramatic choreography presented by East Coast Ballet’s profes- 12/7 & 12/8: Community Nutcracker sional company along with 50 adults and children from the More than 200 ballerinas dance and leap their way across the local community. 4 PM. Wilson Center, FSCJ South Campus. stage in this 27th annual production of the Community Tickets start at $20. Nutcracker. Each performance funds local charities. Public performances: December 7, 8 PM; December 8 at 1 PM and 7:30 12/22: Moscow Ballet PM. Florida Theatre, $30-$53. With world class Russian performers and musicians, hand- painted sets, Russian Snow Maidens and jubilant Nesting Dolls, 12/14 - 12/16: The Florida Ballet this production is presented twice: at 3 PM and again at 7 PM. More than 100 dancers from the The Florida Ballet present their annual presentation in four performances: December 14 Florida Theatre. Tickets start at $32. at 7:30 PM; December 15 at 2 PM and 7:30 PM; and December 16 12/22 & 23: St. Augustine Ballet at 2 PM. UNF Lazzara Theater, $23-$48. The St. Augustine Ballet’s performance includes 85 dancers 12/14 - 12/16: First Coast Nutcracker dressed as mischievous mice, dancing dolls, sparkling The Jacksonville Symphony’s performance of Tchaikovsky’s snowflakes and more, along with custom-designed scenery Nutcracker ballet has been performed in Jacksonville for more and costumes. 1:30 PM and 7 PM. Lewis Auditorium, Flagler than 40 years. This production is the only one in the city backed College, $25-$35. u — BY ANDREA DAVIS