Pacific Northwest Ballet offers 25th "Nutcracker"

Highlights: In a holiday stocking stuffed with Nutcrackers, the granddaddy of them all stands out: Pacific Northwest Ballet's "Nutcracker," designed by Maurice Sendak and choreographed by Kent Stowell, celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. From the swirling pale-blue snowflakes to the 27-foot Mouse King puppet, it's a lavish and colorful spectacle for all. Special touches for the anniversary year include a soaring silver Nutcracker Tree in the McCaw lobby, as well as surprise guests on stage.

— Moira Macdonald, Seattle Times arts critic

Pacific Northwest Ballet: Nutcracker

NOV. 28-30, DEC. 5-7, 11-14, 17-24, 26-30 The 25th-anniversary presentation, featuring sets and costumes by Maurice Sendak and the acclaimed PNB orchestra. McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St., Seattle; $22-$120 (206-441-2424 or www.pnb.org).

Blue Heron Dance: The Nutcracker

DEC. 5-7 7 p.m. Dec. 5-6 and 2 p.m. Dec. 7, Vashon Island High School Theatre, 20120 Vashon Highway S.W., Vashon Island; $10-$13 (206-463-5151 or www.vashonalliedarts.org).

Dance Theatre Northwest: The Nutcracker

DEC. 6-7 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 6 and 4 p.m. Dec. 7, Mount Tahoma High School Auditorium, 4634 S. 74th, Tacoma; $11-$26 (253-565-5149 or www.dancetheatrenorthwest.org).

Ensemble Ballet Theatre: The Nutcracker

DEC. 6-7 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 6 and 1:30 p.m. Dec. 7, Ikea Performing Arts Center, 400 S. Second St., Renton; $10-$18 (877-328-8771 or www.ebtballet.org).

Kaleidoscope Dance Company: The Gift of Dance

DEC. 7 3 p.m. Dec. 7, Shorewood High School Auditorium, 17300 Fremont Ave. N., Shoreline; $4-$6 (206-363-7281 or www.creativedance.org/kaleidoscope).

ARC Dance: Nutcracker Sweets

DEC. 12-14 7 p.m. Dec. 12, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 13, 2 p.m. Dec. 14, ARC Dance, 9250 14th Ave. N.W., Seattle; $5-$12 (206-352-0799 or www.arcdance.org).

Ballet Northwest: The Nutcracker

DEC. 12-14, 19-21 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12 and 19, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13 and 20, 2 p.m. Dec. 14 and 21, Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 512 Washington St. S.E., Olympia; $19-$30 (360-753-8586 or www.washingtoncenter.org).

International Ballet Theatre: The Nutcracker

DEC. 12-14, 17-23 Meydenbauer Center, 11100 N.E. Sixth St., Bellevue; $25-$50 (425-822-7694 or www.interballettheatre.org).

Washington Contemporary Ballet: The Nutcracker

DEC. 12-14 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13, 4 p.m. Dec. 14, Mount Tahoma High School Auditorium, 4634 S. 74th, Tacoma; $15-$18 (253-474-4312 or www.wcbdance.org).

Ballet Bellevue: The Snowman

DEC. 13-14, 28 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13, 2 p.m. Dec. 14, Northshore Performing Arts Center, 18125 92nd Ave. N.E., Bothell; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 28, Theatre at Meydenbauer Center, 11100 N.E. Sixth St., Bellevue; $15-$27 (800-992-8499 or www.balletbellevue.org).

Dance Fremont: The Steadfast Tin Soldier

DEC. 13-14 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13-14, Shorecrest High School/Performing Arts Center, 15343 25th Ave. N.E., Shoreline; $12-$15 (206-633-0812 or www.dancefremont.com).

Everett Symphony and Olympic Ballet Theater: The Nutcracker

DEC. 13-14 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 13 and 2 p.m. Dec. 14, Everett Civic Auditorium, 2415 Colby Ave., Everett; $14-$38 (888-266-8486 or www.everettsymphony.org).

Evergreen City Ballet: The Nutcracker

DEC. 13, 19-21 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13, Auburn Performing Arts Center, 700 E. Main St., Auburn; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19, 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20, 1:30 p.m. Dec. 21, Ikea Performing Arts Center, 400 S. Second St., Renton; $12-$38 (425-228-6800 or www.evergreencityballet.org).

Tacoma City Ballet: The Nutcracker

DEC. 13-14, 19-21 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 13, 2 p.m. Dec. 14, 7 p.m. Dec. 19, 2 p.m., 7 p.m. Dec. 20, 2 p.m. Dec. 21, Pantages Theater, 901 Broadway, Tacoma; $28-$60 (253-272-4219 or www.broadwaycenter.org).

The Burlesque Nutcracker

DEC. 16-19, 22-24 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Dec. 16-29 and 22-24, The Triple Door, 216 Union St., Seattle; $25-$28 (206-838-4333 or www.thetripledoor.net).

Emerald Ballet Theatre with Rainier Symphony: The Nutcracker

DEC. 20-21 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 20, 2 p.m. Dec. 21, Northshore Performing Arts Center, 18125 92nd Ave. N.E., Bothell; $15-$30 (800-992-8499 or www.npacf.org).

Compiled by Henry Han.