E.T.A. Hoffmann’s story of The Nutcracker is a strange one — a monstrous Mouse King, an eye-patched godfather, a nutcracker prince — but the ballet version of the classic children’s book is so ingrained in our holiday traditions we forget about the weird and focus on the sweet. Once again, the Spokane Symphony will accompany the Santa Barbara, California-based State Street Ballet’s version of the Tchaikovsky-scored ballet, which includes more than 80 local dancers.
Thu-Sun, Dec. 4-7, times vary • $12.50-$30/youth; $25-$75/adults • Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox • 1001 W. Sprague • spokanesymphony.org • 624-1200