“A Tale of the Nutcracker”

Northwest Performing Arts Alliance and Riverside Performing Arts present “A Tale of the Nutcracker” at 6 p.m. Dec. 17 and 18 at Fort Vancouver High School, 5700 E. 18th St., Vancouver. This retro 1950s-themed production is inspired by E.T.A. Hoffmann’s “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” and is directed by Riverside Performing Art’s Dance Director Josh Murry-Hawkins. The performance opens at a party on Christmas Eve at the Williams residence, where Clara eagerly awaits the arrival of her favorite aunt, Debra Meiers, who is bringing a new line of toys from Meier and Frank for the children, including a nutcracker. What magic will occur as Clara dreams of human sized mice, enchanted soldiers, snow fairies, and a land of dancing sweets? The production blends acrobatics, classical ballet, jazz and with music by Tchaikovsky and Duke Ellington. Tickets range from $20 to $30, plus ticket fees, available at northwestpaa.org/nutcracker.