| theater opening |

The Nutcracker Sat 2pm and 7:30pm; Sun 2pm. Accompanied by Tchaikovsky’s thrilling music, Salinas Performing Arts presents this Christmas classic about a girl who helps a wooden nutcracker man defeat a nasty army of mice and winds up in the magical dream world of the Land of Toys. $20; $12/children 12 and under. Sherwood Hall, 940 N. Main St., Salinas. 424-1217 or www.tickets.com. Ends 11/28.

La Virgen Del Tepeyac Fri-Sat 8pm; Sun 4pm and 8pm. Celebrating more than a quarter of a century of tradition at the beautiful Old Mission at San Juan Bautista, El Teatro Campesino returns with the 2004 production of La Virgen Del Tepeyac, its biennial spectacle of vibrant music, sacral theater and Aztec dance. This special Christmas offering, dramatizing the four apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe to the Indian messenger Juan Diego in 1531, is a reenactment of the miraculous events that inspired the religious rebirth of the indigenous Mexico, a mere ten years after the Spanish Conquest. $20; $16/seniors and students; $12/children. El Teatro Campesino Playhouse, 705 Fourth Street, San Juan Bautista. 623-2444 or www.elteatrocampesino.com.

| theater now playing |

Buddy: The Tribute Concert Sat 7:30pm; Sun 2pm and 7pm. Home for the Holly-days, PacRep’s monster hit returns in concert form to get Monterey County residents back on their feet and into the aisles. If you’ve never experienced the high energy Buddy Holly experience, don’t miss this show! $35/adults; $25/seniors; $20/students, teachers, military, children. Golden Bough Playhouse, Monte Verde between 8th and 9th. 622-0100 or www.ticketguys.com.

Meadow Muffin Mafia Fri-Sat 8pm. Western vaudeville hijinks from the Barbary Players. A villain, Osama Bendover, rolls into the town of Meadow Muffin and disrupts life for the colorful community. Barbary Coast Theater, 320 Hoffman Ave., Monterey. $14; $13/seniors; $8/students; $6/active military. 655-4992. Ends 12/18.

Mixed Nutz!-The Nutcracker Remixed Friday and Saturday, 2pm and 7:30pm; Sunday 2pm. Directed by circus and dance maestro Tandy Beal, this presentation takes an interesting new twist on the ballet, with a cappella renditions of Tchaikovsky’s classic music by renowned San Francisco Bay Area vocal group SoVoSó, plus over 30 dancers and circus artists. $15-30. The Mello Center, E. Beach and Lincoln, Watsonville. 763-4047.

Stage Mother Fri-Sat 8 pm; Sun 2pm. Just as you have life managed, peaceful and relatively joyous, Mom shows up and announces she’s moving in! Mom happens to be a famous celebrity with her glory days behind her, who decides to steal the show regarding your life’s most precious dream. All because...she loves you. A playful poke at star-crossed family values, penned by Peninsula playwright Terry Kingsley-Smith. The Carl Cherry Center for the Arts, 4th and Guadalupe, Carmel. $15; $12/students and seniors. 624-7491 or www.unicorntheatreinc.org. Ends 12/12.

| auditions |

MPC Theater Company MPC is casting for roles in Noises Off; The Magicians Nephew, and The Velveteen Rabbit. 1-4pm, 12/11 and 12/13. Monterey Peninsula College. Contact Gary Bolen at 646-4085 or gbolen@mpc.edu.

PacRep SoDAonSTAGE PacRep SoDAonSTAGE will be casting for roles in Kid Millionaire, an original family musical with book and lyrics by Walt deFaria, music by Stephen Tosh. 11/27 (ages 6-9 at 9am; ages 10-12 at 10am; Ages 13-adult at 11am); 11/28 (ages 6-9 at 9:30am; ages 10-adult 10:30am) Golden Bough Playhouse, Monte Verde between 8th and 9th, Carmel. 622-0100.

PacRep Theatre PacRep is casting for roles in M. Butterfly; Stones in His Pockets, and Retreat from Moscow. Prepare two contrasting monologues, not to exceed three minutes. 12/11 and 12/13. Golden Bough Playhouse, Monte Verde between 8th and 9th, Carmel. 622-0100 or 622-0700.

The Wharf Theater The Wharf Theater is casting for Cabaret. 7:30pm, 12/12 and 12/13. 649-2332.