Extra nuts

Ron Cunningham's take on The Nutcracker is a holiday tradition in this town—hundreds of kids join professional dancers on stage to tell the story of Clara and her magical Christmas gift: a doll that comes to life to take her on a wonderful adventure to exotic lands. This year—for the first time in about 10 years—Cunningham is staging The Nutty Nutcracker, a fantastical upside-down sendup of the classic. The show will be performed only once, at 7 p.m. on December 11. Tickets cost $19-$79. The regular version of The Nutcracker will be performed numerous times through December 22. 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m and 5 p.m. Sunday; $19-$90. Community Center Theater, 1301 L Street; (916) 808-5181; www.sacballet.org.