THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

Many dancers perform the Nutcracker each holiday season, but what makes the Joffrey Ballet's version special? It all comes down to the details. Robert Joffrey created his vision of The Nutcracker in 1987 at the University of Iowa. George Balanchine had begun the tradition of the Nutcracker in America back in the 1950s with the original choreography by Marius Petipa, but this production was recreating a European Christmastime on the stage. Joffrey was the first choreographer to set the ballet in an American home, and decorated the stage in the opening party scene with toys from his own childhood. Since then, the Joffrey ballet has maintained the most tour dates of any major ballet company in the country, and in 1996 brought the Nutcracker home to Chicago.

The Joffrey Ballet's performance of The Nutcracker returns with the 23rd anniversary of a popular Chicago family event. Taking place Dec. 10-26 at the Auditorium Theater, this winter wonderland continues the holiday tradition of the ballet world. The Joffrey website describes this year's performances as "sparkling with contemporary choreography, dazzling costumes, Tchaikovsky's thrilling score, inventive lighting and extravagant set design." Keeping with the family spirit, joining the Joffrey dancers in this production will be almost 120 young dancers from all over the Chicago area. In addition, young vocalists from several choirs will perform in the magical "snow scene." More sounds from the choirs can be heard in the lobby of the theater a half hour before curtain and at intermission at every performance, and the ballet itself will feature live accompaniment from the Chicago Sinfonietta.

The Joffrey Ballet will present The Nutcracker at the Auditorium Theater, 50 E. Congress, various times Dec. 10-26. Tickets ($30-$115) are available for purchase at The Joffrey Box office located at 10 E. Randolph, the Auditorium Theater, or www.ticketmaster.com . For more information call 800-982-2787 or visit www.joffrey.com .

The Civic Ballet of Chicago will be performing Ruth Page's version of the Nutcracker, last seen in 2007. This year's event will feature eight guest artists and more than a dozen company members from around Chicago, including former Joffrey Ballet great Calvin Kitten returning as the Cavalier, Presented at The Elgin Community College Performing Arts Center, 1700 Spartan, 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 11, and 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 12. For tickets ($15-$25) or more information, call 847-697-1000.

The Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker stars principal artists Ekaterina Bortyakova as Masha and Akzhol Mussokhanov as the Nutcracker Prince. Critically acclaimed for its unique setting of Act II in the "Land of Peace and Harmony," the Great Russian Nutcracker entertains with new characters and larger than life puppets set against a stunning backdrop of unicorns, exotic birds and animals.

As described on its website, the story differs from the U.S. version. An ethereal Dove, a messenger of peace, leads Masha and the Nutcracker to the peaceful kingdom. Beloved Russian fairy-tale characters Father Christmas and his granddaughter, the Snow Maiden, add to this unique retelling of a familiar story. The Moscow Ballet will present the Great Russian Nutcracker at The Rosemont Theater, 5400 N. River, 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 18. For tickets ($28-$73) or more information, visit www.moscowballet.com .

The Salt Creek Ballet presents the Nutcracker at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie, Skokie, at 3 p.m. on Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 18-19; Tickets ($30-$38) are available by visiting www.seechicagodance.com .