'Nutcracker' and more

Everything moves at a faster pace this time of year, including the local dance scene. As usual there is a bounty of holiday-themed shows to enjoy between now and the end of December, including several "Nutcrackers." This is just a selection of the many productions, big and small, arranged by opening date:

Minnesota PerformDance, featuring the high-kicking Starettes, reprises "All Wrapped Up," a dance and music extravaganza filled with ballroom dancing, festive songs and "Nutcracker" excerpts.

7:30 p.m. Nov. 30, 2 & 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1, $19-$23, The Cowles Center, 528 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls., 612-206-3600 or www.thecowlescenter.org.

Continental Ballet Company, under the direction of choreographer Riet Velthuisen, celebrates its 25th "Nutcracker" this year.

7:30 p.m. Nov. 30 & Dec. 7, 3 & 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1 & 8, 3 p.m. Dec. 2 & 9, $13-$25, Bloomington Center for the Arts, 1800 W. Old Shakopee Rd., Bloomington, 952-563-8562 or www.continentalballet.com.

Ballet of the Dolls plays nice -- and naughty. "Cinderella" follows the familiar tale, while "SINderella" is an adults-only version.

"Cinderella": 8 p.m. Nov. 30, Dec. 1-2, 13; 2 p.m. Dec. 8-9, 15-16, 22-23. "SINderella": 8 p.m. Dec. 7-8, 14-15, 20-22, 27-29, 31. $10-$27.50. Ritz Theater, 345 13th Av. NE, Mpls., 612-436-1129 or www.ritzdolls.com.

7:30 p.m. Dec. 7, 2 p.m. Dec. 8, $30-$90, Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls., www.hennepintheatretrust.org or 800-982-2787.

Twin Cities Ballet's "Nutcracker" boasts more than 120 local and national dancers plus local students in a charming production choreographed by Denise Vogt.

7 p.m. Dec. 7, 2 & 7 p.m. Dec. 8, 1 & 4:30 p.m. Dec. 9, $15-$35, Burnsville Performing Arts Center, 12600 Nicollet Av., Burnsville, 800-982-2787 or www.ticketmaster.com.

Zenon Dance Company has fun with the holiday classic in "The Nutcracker According to Mother Goose." Little Bo Peep and Wee Willie Winkie appear.

10 a.m. & 1 p.m. Dec. 8-9, $19-$24. Cowles Center, 528 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls., www.thecowlescenter.org or 612-206-3600.

7 p.m. Dec. 13, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14 & 15; 2 p.m. Dec. 15 & 16; 6 p.m. Dec. 16, $21-$29, E.M. Pearson Theatre, Concordia University, 312 Hamline Av., St. Paul, 651-690-1588 or www.spcballet.org.

Ballet Minnesota's 25th annual "The Classical Nutcracker," choreographed by Andrew Rist, features guest soloists Jennifer Goodman as the Sugar Plum Fairy and Matthew Prescott as her Cavalier.

7:30 p.m. Dec. 14, 2 & 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15, 2 p.m. Dec. 16, $18-$44, The O'Shaughnessy at St. Catherine University, 2004 Randolph Av., St. Paul, 651-690-6700 or www.theoshaughnessy.com.

"Loyce Houlton's Nutcracker Fantasy," presented by Minnesota Dance Theatre, is the beloved mother of all local productions of the holiday classic.

7 p.m. Dec. 14-15 & 21-22, 1 p.m. Dec. 15 & 22, 2 p.m. Dec. 16 & 23, 6 p.m. Dec. 20, 12 p.m. Dec. 24, $52-$59, The Cowles Center, 528 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls., 612-206-3600 or www.thecowlescenter.org.

1 & 7:30 p.m. Dec. 22. $19-$59. Hopkins High School, 2400 Lindbergh Dr., Minnetonka. 866-811-4111 or www.metroballet.org.