Nutty Puppets

There are the holiday traditions we all love, like lighting the Christmas tree with loved ones (oh, how Grandma yelps sweetly when you stick her on the upper branches!) And then there are the holiday traditions we hate, like watching cousin Bubba's fifth child star as Jesus or some other poor, orphaned thing in a community theater production. (Reminder: Get Bubba and Sissy a Plan B gift certificate this year.) Instead of loading up to check out the latest in BFE community theater, do something the whole family will love by going to see the Dallas Children's Theater vibrant puppet production of The Nutcracker, featuring the classic Tchaikovsky accompaniment. The show runs through Sunday at DCT, 5938 Skillman St., so get on the stick. Shows are at 7:30 p.m. Friday, 1:30 p.m. Saturday and 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $14 to $23. Visit dct.org.
Fri., Dec. 21, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., Dec. 22, 1:30 p.m.; Sun., Dec. 23, 1:30 & 4:30 p.m., 2007