Nutcracker returns

Ballet Arizona’s all new version of Ib Anderson–produced  “The Nutcracker,” with music performed by The Phoenix Symphony, makes it’s return beginning Friday through Dec. 27 at Symphony Hall, 75 N. 2nd St. in Phoenix.

“The Nutcracker” premiered last year to more than 40,000 children and adults.

The revamped $1.8 million holiday classic production features lavish sets, special effects and new costumes.

Critics called it breathtakingly beautiful, dazzlingly danced, magical and  stunning.

Tickets are priced from $15 to $115, with discounts for students, seniors, children and groups. Some shows  will sell out, so buyers should call early.

For information call the Ballet Arizona box office at 602‑381‑1096, or visit ticketmaster.com.

Dance group presents annual Christmas concert

AZDance Group is presenting its fourth annual Christmas Dance Concert at 1 and 6 p.m. on Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday at the Boulder Creek High School Performing Art Center, 40404 N. Gavilan Peak Pkwy. in Anthem.

The Christmas Dance Concert will feature the company’s professional dancers and will highlight the Movement E‑Motion participants. The Children’s Christmas Company and the Junior/Trainee Company are also integrated into the concert.

The three‑act concert includes their nutty‑fun “Mix’d Nuts,” set to Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker Suite,” “The Story,” and “Christmas Time,”movement and dance set to inspirational music.

Tickets are available at Deer Valley Credit Union, Anthem Community Center and Our Kitchen to Yours in Anthem, company members, and at the door one hour prior to curtain.

Tickets are $5 for children younger than 10; $12 for students and seniors 55 and older; and $20 for adults.  If a used cell phone or mp3/iPod is brought in, there is a $5 discount off one adult or senior/student ticket.

For information visit azdance.org, e‑mail azdancegroup@yahoo.com or call 480‑215‑1916.

New Anthem community theater company slates production

CatNic Community Theatre, a nonprofit community theatre company in Anthem,  will present “Love, Sex and the IRS,” a farce by Bill Van Zandt and Jane Millmore.

The story is about Jon and Leslie who are out of work musicians rooming together. To save money, Jon has been filing tax returns listing the pair as married. The IRS informs the ‘couple’ they are to be audited. Leslie masquerades as a housewife, aided by Jon’s fiancée, Kate.

Complicating matters further, Leslie and Kate are having an affair behind Jon’s back. Jon’s mother drops by to meet her son’s ‘intended’ and Leslie’s ex‑girlfriend shows up demanding to know why she won’t see her anymore.

The comedy in three acts stars Valley actors Heather Cambanes, Jacob Briggs, Keith Huff, Betty Towne, Gary Kyriazi, Kevin McCaw, Michelle Fish and Bert Bortnick.

“Love Sex and the IRS” will be 7 p.m. Dec. 14 and 15 and 3 p.m. Dec. 16 at Boulder Creek High School Performing Arts Center, 40404 N. Gavilan Peak Pkwy.in Anthem.

 Advance Tickets are $13.50 for adults and $ 11.50 for students and seniors, as well as $11.50 for all seats on Sunday.

For more information call 623‑444‑2827 or visit catnictheatre.com.

Wild West shows canceled

DR Buck Productions and Mission Bell Studios have announced the temporary postponement of the West Valley, family oriented series of “Wild West Fest” events.

Dec.15 ‑16  and other monthly dates are canceled until further notice.

For updated information visit wildwesternfestival.com

DR Buck Productions is a full service entertainment company, owned and operated by entertainers serving the southwest and beyond with “Best of the West,” performers, stage shows, interactive cowboy games and team building.

Call 623‑ 444‑7121 or at: e‑mail DRBuc@cox.net for information.

Stars on Ice coming to Phoenix

Tickets for the Emmy Award‑winning Smucker’s Stars on Ice, “Live and In Color” production went on sale Nov. 19 for the Feb. 16, 2008 performance at U.S. Airways Center in Phoenix.

The includes Olympic Silver medalist Sasha Cohen; 1998 Olympic Champion Ilia Kulik or 2002 Olympic Pair Champions Jamie Saléé and David Pelletier ; World Champion and six‑time U.S. National Champion Todd Eldredge; World Champion and two‑time Japanese National Champion Yuka Sato; two‑time World Bronze medalist and three‑time U.S. National Champion Michael Weiss; World Bronze medalists and three‑time U.S. National Pair Champions Kyoko Ina and John Zimmerman; and six‑time Canadian National Champion Jennifer Robinson. Additions to the cast for the 2008 season are three‑time World Pair Champions and two‑time Olympic Bronze medalists Xue Shen and Hongbo Zhao, and two‑time World Silver medalists and five‑time Canadian National Ice Dance Champions Marie‑France Dubreuil and Patrice Lauzon.