St. Paul Ballet reimagines Nutcracker as 'Clara's Dream'

Opening: St. Paul Ballet re-imagines the story of "The Nutcracker" as a coming-of-age tale about Clara's journey from adolescence to adulthood. Now in its third year, "Clara's Dream" is a 90-minute version of E.T.A. Hoffman's story, with all-new sets and costumes thanks to a three-year grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council. Set designer Ann Henly found inspiration in the early-1900s comic strip "Little Nemo in Slumberland," which depicted the adventurous dreams of a young boy, as well as illustrations from the Gilded Age. The show also features new costumes for the Land of Snows by Christina Onusko. (7 p.m. Thu., 7:30 p.m. Fri., 7:30 & 2 p.m. Sat., 1 & 6 p.m. Sun., Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center, Macalester College, 1600 Grand Av., St. Paul, $16-$26, 651-690-1588 or spballet.org)