Links to theater/stage organizations within this section:  | CET & Indoor Forest Theater | MPC Drama Dept. | MoCo Theatre Alliance | Pacfic Rep | Unicorn Theatre

 | theater opening |

Ballet Fantasque’s Nutcracker Opens 2pm Sat; continues 7pm Sat; 2pm Sun. Ballet Fantasque presents their unique, full-length vision of Tchaikovsky’s epic seasonal tale. $18/adults; $15/seniors, military, students; $12/children 12 and under. Santa Catalina School Performing Arts Center, 1500 Mark Thomas Dr., Monterey. 372-0388 or www.balletfantasque.org. Ends 12/18.

| theater ongoing |

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Bingo Palace 7pm Fri-Sat. Interactive comedy melodrama. The Monterey Playhouse, 320 Hoffman Ave., Monterey. 595-9290.

Narnia 7pm Fri; continues 2pm and 7pm Sat. Ariel Children’s Theatre brings the classic C.S. Lewis fantasy to life. $8/general; $5/ages 3-12; free/3 and under. Wilson Children’s Theatre, 320 Main St., Salinas. 775-0976. Ends 12/17.

Dance Kids’ Nutcracker 7pm Thu-Sat; 2pm Sun. Dance Kids present their annual holiday bon-bon complete with valiant Prince, vile Mouse King and vivacious Sugar Plum Fairy. $20/adult; $18/seniors, military, students; $12/children. Morgan Stock Theater, Monterey Peninsula College, 980 Fremont St., Monterey. 373-7300 or www.dancekids.org. Ends 12/17.

La Pastorela 8pm Fri; 2pm and 8pm Sat; 4pm and 8pm Sun. El Teatro Campesino’s traditional play about the shepherds who are told of the birth of Christ and the triumph of the God’s angels over Satan’s diablos. $20/adults; $16/seniors and students; $12/children under 12. The Mission of San Juan Bautista, 2nd and Mariposa, San Juan Bautista. 623-2444 or www.ticketguys.com. Ends 12/18.

The Roots of Rock ‘n’ Roll 7:30pm Thu-Fri; 2pm and 7:30pm Sat; 2pm Sun. Pac Rep melts faces this month with a tribute concert featuring the roots of rock from Buddy Holly to the Beatles. Reviewed this page. $22-$36/general; discounts for seniors, students, children, teachers and active military. Golden Bough Playhouse, Monte Verde between 8th and 9th, Carmel. 622-0100 or www.pacrep.org. Ends 12/31.

The Wind in the Willows 8pm Fri-Sat; continues 2pm Sun. The Western Stage concludes its 2005 season with Kenneth Grahame’s beloved characters Badger, Rat, Mole, and, of course, Toad as they learn the value of friendship in this sparkling play with music. $25/general admission; $17/seniors, juniors, military. Main stage, Hartnell College Performing Arts Center. 375-2111 or www.westernstage.org. Ends 12/17.