'THE CLASSIC NUTCRACKER'
Dec. 14-16: Ballet Minnesota is celebrating the 25th anniversary of this production. And although versions of "The Nutcracker" are performed all over the Twin Cities, choreographer Andrew Rist's is one of the most polished and largest, with more than 130 local and national dancers. Jennifer Goodman, a longtime member of the Joffrey Company in Chicago who is now an independent dancer in New York, will perform the signature role of the Sugar Plum Fairy. She'll be joined by Matthew Prescott as the Cavalier. He also has roots with the Joffrey as well as Suzanne Farrell Ballet, among other companies, and was the choreographer in charge of the lead boys in the North American productions of "Billy Elliot the Musical." (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.)
