West metro arts briefs

Original holiday play back at Yellow TreeYellow Tree Theatre's original comedy "Miracle on Christmas Lake" is running through Jan. 2, with shows at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays.

The play focuses on five people who pull an all-nighter at a fledgling theater to come up with a replacement for the show they suddenly lost the rights to perform. Despite some mishaps, their hard work pays off.

It's somewhat autobiographical: The Yellow Tree Theatre hit a similar snag a few years ago when, two weeks before the opening night of "Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol," they lost the rights to perform the play.

"We were in a panic," recalled theater artistic director Jason Peterson.

But Peterson's wife Jessica, the theater's cofounder, creatively spun the crisis into the "Miracle" story. Set in a small town in Minnesota, the play contains plenty of references to lutefisk, Tater Tot hot dishes and ice fishing. It quickly became a crowd-pleaser with sold-out performances.

"It's something that we can call our own," Peterson said. "It's been a real 'miracle.' "

Yellow Tree, located at 320 5th Av. SE. in Osseo, is in its third year of presenting "Miracle." Tickets are $14 to $20. Call the box office at 763-493-8733 or visit www.yellowtree theatre.com.

A wide variety of specialty items will be featured, including gifts and handmade decorations crafted by Arboretum Auxiliary members. These include permanent botanicals, natural ornaments, textiles and pressed flower gifts, among other items.

Hours of the sale are 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday.

The preview night sale event will include wine and hors d'oeuvres from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the arboretum's historic Snyder Building. Tickets for the preview are $25; call 952-448-1608 for reservations. For more information, go to www.arboretum.umn.edu.

The Arboretum is located at 3675 Arboretum Drive in Chanhassen.

Family Nutcracker set for this weekendThe Metropolitan Ballet's Family-Friendly Nutcracker will be presented Saturday and Sunday at the Hopkins High School Auditorium, 2400 Lindbergh Drive in Minnetonka.

Tickets are $15 to $40, with shows at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. Go to www.metroballet.org or call 1-866-811-4111.

Dance team benefit for Autism SocietyDance teams from Catholic high schools throughout Minnesota, including the Academy of Holy Angels, Benilde-St. Margaret's, Holy Family, St. Cloud Cathedral and Totino-Grace, will participate Saturday in "Kickin' It for the Kids," an event to raise awareness and support for the Autism Society of Minnesota.

The show will begin at 3 p.m. at Benilde-St. Margaret's High School at 2501 Hwy. 100, St. Louis Park. The schools involved are participating in lieu of their annual competition to provide support for the Autism Society, which offers adult support groups and therapy, family advocacy programs, social skills groups, camps and other resources for families dealing with autism.

Tickets are $7 for adults and $4 for students. Children under 5 will be admitted free.

Guitar duo performing at Hopkins Center"Two Men and Their Guitars" will feature Charlie Parr and Spider John Koerner in concert at the Hopkins Center for the Arts at 7 p.m. Tuesday, with a social hour beginning at 6 p.m.

Tickets are available at the arts center's box office at 952-979-1111 or at www.hopkinsartscenter.com. The Hopkins Center for the Arts is located at 1111 Mainstreet in Hopkins.

Russian Ballet school presents 'Nutcracker'The Academy of Russian Ballet will present its ninth annual production of "The Nutcracker" Dec. 17-19 at the Eden Prairie High School Performing Arts Center, 17185 Valley View Rd., Eden Prairie.

The holiday classic will be performed by academy students as well as dancers from the James Sewell Ballet.

Performances are set for 7 p.m. Dec. 17, 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 18, and 2 p.m. Dec. 19.

Tickets are $23 for adults, $18 for seniors and $15 for students; go to www.academyofrussian ballet.com or call 612-636-3167 for group discounts and handicap seating sales.

The show, celebrating its 21st year, is described as "a perfect first-time 'Nutcracker' for little ones as young as 4 and 5 years old." It is only one hour long but includes the whole "Nutcracker" story and all the dances.

Performances will be at 7 p.m. Saturday and at 2 and 4 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $10, with group discounts available. Call 952-935-2299.

'The Best Christmas Pageant Ever'"The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" is being presented by the Chaska Valley Family Theatre through Sunday.

Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. All performances are at the Chaska High School Theater, 545 Pioneer Trail.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students 17 and under. For tickets and more information, go to www.cvft.org or call 952-250-7206.

Trinity Church is located at 322 2nd St. For more information, contact Nathalie Wilson at 612-202-7421 or musicattrinity @gmail.com.