With it’s significant Bay Area connection, “The Nutcracker” has been a mainstay of local dance companies for decades and decades.
And why not? The ballet and its iconic score by Tchaikovsky has everything a holiday production could ask for — sumptuous choreography, unforgettable music and a Christmas setting.
Once again, Bay Area troupes are offering a wide array of versions of the ballet that dominates the winter dance season and which historians estimate accounts for 40 percent of ballet company box office income each year.
Here’s a roundup of some of the Bay Area “Nutcracker” performances on tap.
San Francisco Ballet ‘Nutcracker’: Helgi Tomasson’s choreography and the renowned lavish production values makes the company’s production one of the best known and most admired in the country. Dec. 5-28; War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco; $39-$598; www.sfballet.org.
New Ballet ‘The San Jose Nutcracker’: Set in the South Bay, choreographed by Dalia Rawson and featuring Symphony San Jose, this is one of the premiere “Nutcracker” productions in Northern California. Dec. 13-23; California Theatre, San Jose; $31.50-$126.50; newballet.com.
Grand Kyiv Ballet “Nutcracker”: The Ukrainian company presents a “Nutcracker” rendition that is faithful to E.T.A. Hoffmann’s story. 7 p.m. Dec. 12; Chabot College Performing Arts Complex, Hayward; $51.49-$72.09; www.grandkyivballet.com.ua/en
ODC Dance, “The Velveteen Rabbit”: The San Francisco Dance Company’s annual favorite is adapted from kids book by Margery Williams. Through Dec. 7; YBCA Theatre, San Francisco; $30-$150; odc.dance.
Mark Foehringer Dance Project: The popular company presents, “Mark Foehringer’s Nutcracker Sweets,” a roughly 1-hour production with young viewers in mind; Dec. 6-21; Cowell Theater, Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture, San Francisco; $23.50-$65; mfdpsf.org/nutcracker-sweets.
San Jose Dance Theatre “Original San Jose Nutcracker”: The acclaimed production is in its 60th year; Dec. 13-14, 30-21; San Jose Center for the Performing Arts; $54.02-$119.05; www.sjdt.org.
Oakland Ballet Company, “Graham Lustig’s The Nutcracker”: Famed choreographer and company director Lustig has put his own stamp on the holiday staple; Dec. 20-21; Paramount Theatre, Oakland; $30-$154 (subject to change); oaklandballet.org.
Berkeley City Ballet: The company is presenting its 51st annual “Nutcracker” production; 1 and 5 p.m. Dec. 20; Alan Harvey Theater, Piedmont; $35; berkeleycityballet.org.
Marin Ballet “Nutcracker”: Dec. 6-7; Novato High School Center for the Arts, Novato; Tickets start at $32.49-$55.59; marinballet.org.
Peninsula Ballet Theatre “Nutcracker”: Dec. 6-7; Peninsula Ballet Theatre Studio; San Mateo Performing Arts Center; $38-$48; www.peninsulalivelyarts.org.
“Hip-Hop Nutcracker”: 2 p.m. Dec. 20; San Mateo Performing Arts Center; San Mateo; $49-$69; www.peninsulalivelyarts.org.
Smuin Contemporary Ballet ‘Christmas Ballet’: The company’s annual holiday program, per tradition, is an flashy and opulent mix of brand new works and such classics as “Santa Baby,” a number that boasts the world’s longest boa. Remaining shows include Dec. 11-14 at Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts and Dec. 18-28 at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco; $30-$120; www.smuinballet.org.
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