Culture Worthy of your Calendar

There are lots of ways to tell (and dance) the traditional Nutcracker story all around Central Florida. Here’s my guide to “going Nuts” this season:

Orlando Repertory Theatre

The Orlando Repertory Theatre turns the Nutcracker into a musical in this fun production for the entire family. Rockin’ songs by family music artist Ralph Covert (of Ralph’s World), set the tone as Fritz, a video-game-obsessed boy, and a heroic Nutcracker chase down the dastardly Mouse King to save Christmas! On Thanksgiving weekend (Saturday, Nov. 26, and Sunday, Nov. 27) purchase one adult ticket and get two tickets free (mention the Turkey Ticket Offer). Show times are Saturdays at noon and 4 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. through Sunday, Dec. 18. Call 407-896-7365 or visit orlandorep.com

Universal Child Care

Celebrating diversity while encouraging the talent of young people, Universal Child Care Performing Arts will present the “Chocolate Nutcracker” with more than 300 young people on-stage and in the orchestra. This adaptation of Tchaikovsky’s classic will be performed on Friday, Dec. 2, at 10 a.m. (children’s version) and Saturday, Dec. 3, at 7 p.m. at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre in Orlando. This modern-day version is set in Harlem and incorporates dance styles including jazz, tap, hip-hop and ballet. Call 407-403-5519 or visit ChocolateNutcrackerOrlando.org

Central Florida Ballet

The Central Florida Ballet’s always entertaining Nutcracker has been named “one of five outstanding productions in the entire nation” by CNN and “the pyrotechnic Nutcracker” by USA Today. CFB’s production will feature guest artists of Ballet Sibiu (of Romania) on Saturday, Dec. 10, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 11, at 2 p.m. at the Linda Chapin Theatre in the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. Call 407-849-9948 or visit centralfloridaballet.com

Orlando Ballet

The professional company of the Orlando Ballet presents the area’s most classic production and invites the award-winning students from the Orlando Ballet School to join them in the children’s roles. Artistic director Robert Hill stays true to the classic while breathing new life into the production with his own choreography. Dec. 15-17 at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 18 at 2 p.m. and a children’s “shortened” version on Dec. 17 at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. and Dec. 18 at 11 a.m. at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre. Call 407-426-1739 or visit orlandoballet.org

Russian Ballet

A free Nutcracker is offered in Orlando at the Disney Amphitheater by Lake Eola in Downtown Orlando. The Russian Ballet of Orlando presents a gift to the community with a free “Nutcracker Under the Stars” (outdoors) on Saturday, Dec. 17, at 7:30 p.m. The performance is choreographed by Vadim Fedotov and features both professional dancers and Academy students. 407-797-1281 or RussianBalletofOrlando.org

And if you want your seasonal music … without the nuts

The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra will present their annual holiday concert — Home for the Holidays with conductor Albert Schram, the Holiday Singers and the Florida Opera Theatre Youth Singers — on Saturday, Nov. 26, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. The program features instrumentals such as “Chanukah Overture,” “A Brassy Holiday” and “Bassoon It Will Be Christmas,” and vocal selections including, “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch!” and “Let There Be Peace on Earth,” featuring the children’s choir. In the spirit of the season, audience members are asked to bring a non-perishable food item to help re-stock the pantries at Second Harvest Food Bank. The concert will take place at the Bob Carr in Orlando. Call 407-770-0071 or visit orlandophil.org

The Messiah Choral Society, now in its 39th season, will present a free performance of Handel's Messiah at the Bob Carr as a gift to Florida. Considered the most magnificent masterwork of all time, Messiah features the Hallelujah Chorus (for which the audience stands and sings along) along with a host of glorious orchestrations, many of which contain familiar melodies. The free performance will be conducted by Dr. John Sinclair on Sunday, Nov. 27, at 3 p.m. Doors will open at 2:15 p.m. No tickets or reservations are needed. Visit messiahchoralsociety.org