For fans of the classic Nutcracker tale, there perhaps is no better place to be this holiday season than in Kitsap.
At least six productions will present Tchaikovsky’s musical adventure over a magical night when a Nutcracker Prince fends off a Mouse King and his army.
“‘The Nutcracker’ is a great way to kick off the holiday season,” said Irene Miller of Irene’s School of Dance in Silverdale.
Miller’s dance school sponsors Dance Arts Theatre, a performance based-group that will perform “The Nutcracker” this season.
“The music is wonderful and familiar to almost everyone,” Miller said. “Some of the most recognized pieces are the ‘Children’s March,’ ‘Russian,’ and ‘Waltz of the Flowers.’ ”
Dance Arts Theatre’s production is one of many performing the story from Port Orchard to Bainbridge Island.
“Our production is based on the children’s story of ‘The Nutcracker and the Mouse King’ written in 1816 by E.T.A. Hoffman,” Miller said. “It’s a very family-friendly production with lots of variety that the whole family should enjoy.”
Dance Arts Theatre will welcome two guest dancers to the production this year, both alums from the Pacific Northwest Ballet — Mara Vinson and Le Yin.
“(Vinson) will perform the Snow Queen Pas de Deux and the Sugar Plum Fairy,” Miller said. “(Yin) will perform the Snow King Pas de Deux and the Cavalier. He was a gold medalist in the Chinese National Ballet Competition.”
But “The Nutcracker” isn’t the only seasonal production this year. Stages across Kitsap are hosting holiday performances from “A Christmas Carol” to “Jesus Christ Superstar,” and more.
‘Nutcracker’
Dance Ensemble Northwest: Nov. 29 at 7 p.m., Nov. 30 at 3 and 7 p.m., and Dec. 1 at 3 p.m. in the North Kitsap Auditorium in Poulsbo.
Tickets: $15 general admission. $10 children. Info: www.inmotionperformingarts.com/den/, 360-779-7090.
Dance Arts Theatre of Silverdale: Nov. 30 at 7 p.m., Dec. 1 at 2 p.m. in the Bremerton High School Performing Arts Center.
Reserved tickets are $18 in advance, $20 at the door; $15 general admission; $10 seniors, students and children 18 and younger.
Tickets: www.brownpapertickets.com, at the Evergreen General Store in Bremerton, and the Silverdale Chamber of Commerce.
Info: 360-692-4395.
Peninsula Dance Theatre: Dec. 6-7 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 8 at 3 p.m. with tea at 1 p.m. in the Bremerton High School Performing Arts Center.
Tickets are between $12-25. Info: www.peninsuladancetheatre.org/the-nutcracker
Academy of Dance: Dec. 13-14 at 7 p.m. at South Kitsap High School in Port Orchard.
Tickets/info: www.myacademyofdance.com, 360-769-7277.
Galletta School of Dance: Dec. 20, 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 21, 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Silverdale Community Theater in Silverdale.
Tickets: $15 adults, $12 seniors, $10 children 12 and younger. Tickets at the door or in advance at the school. Info: 360-779-1122, www.gallettadance.com.
Olympic Performance Group: Dec. 20-23 at 2 and 7 p.m. at the Island School on Bainbridge Island.
Tickets: $23 adults and $20 students and seniors. Info: www.olympicperformancegroup.org, 206-842-1205.
OTHER HOLIDAY PERFORMANCES
“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”: Through Dec. 21. Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 5 p.m. in the Little Playhouse on the waterfront in Port Orchard.
Presented by the Western Washington Center for the Arts. Based on the popular young adult book.
Tickets are $13-17. Info: www.wwca.us
“The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society presents ‘A Christmas Carol’”: Through Dec. 7, at the Jewel Box Theatre in Poulsbo.
Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sunday performances on Dec. 1 and 8 at 2 p.m.
With audience participation, failed lines and entrances, and two original songs. The performance puts a fun twist on a holiday classic.
Info/tickets: jewelboxtickets@gmail.com, www.brownpapertickets.com or www.jewelboxpoulsbo.org, 360-697-3183.
“A Christmas Carol”: Dec. 6-22. Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. at the Port Gamble Theater.
Tickets: $15 adults, $12 seniors and children ages 12 and younger.
The classic tale of Ebenezer Scrooge. Tickets: www.brownpapertickets.com. Info: www.portgambletheater.com
“Saul Tannenbaum’s Claus for Celebration” and “The Santaland Diaries”: Dec. 6, 13 and 20 at 7:30 p.m. at Bainbridge Performing Arts.
Tickets: $27 adults. $22 seniors. $19 students, military and teachers.
Act I: Claus for Celebration. Act II: Santaland Diaries. A story by author David Sedaris, adapted for the stage by Joe Mantello.
Tickets/info: www.bainbridgeperformingarts.org
“Jesus Christ Superstar”: Dec. 6-22, at the Bainbridge High School Theatre. Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 3 p.m. Production features a live rock orchestra.
Tickets are $19-27 at Winslow Drug on Bainbridge Island, www.brownpapertickets.com or 800-838-3006.
“It’s A Wonderful Life” live radio play: Dec. 7, 14 and 21, 7:30 p.m. at Bainbridge Performing Arts.
A family-friendly holiday production brings new meaning and sounds to the heartwarming story of good will and cheer.
Tickets: $27 adults, $22 seniors, $19 for youth, student, military and teachers.
Info: 206-842-8569, bainbridgeperformingarts.org.
“Another Letter to Father Christmas & Holiday Sing Along”: Dec. 15 and 22, 3 p.m. at Bainbridge Performing Arts.
An enchanting holiday show in two acts with seasonal sing-along favorites.
Tickets: $27 adults, $22 seniors, $19 for youth, student, military and teachers. Info: 206-842-8569, bainbridgeperformingarts.org.
