Scene Stealers

The Nutcracker at Ellie Caulkins Opera House

A Christmas Carol. The sound of Salvation Army bell-ringers. The lights on the Denver City and County Building. The holiday season brings a slew of traditions to the Centennial State, but few of them are as enduring as the Colorado Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker. Named the best-loved Nutcracker in the U.S. in the 10th Annual Goldstar National Nutcracker Award Contest, the beloved family-friendly production is entering its 58th year — and is a perfect introduction for novices to the ballet as an art form. The production runs Nov. 27 through Dec. 24 at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House.
Tickets start at $30. Head to www.colorado ballet.org for more information.

A Christmas Story at BDT Stage

You know the story – little Ralphie Parker only wants one thing for Christmas – an official Red Ryder carbine-action 200-shot range model air rifle. And everyone he mentions it to shoots down the idea because, “you’ll shoot your eye out, kid.” Enjoy the classic 1983 movie A Christmas Story in a delightful musical adaptation thanks to BDT Stage. BDT stage is Boulder’s longest-running dinner theatre – 40 years and counting – and Academy Award nominees and television stars have graced the stage, so you can rest assured in the professional caliber of any production, especially one as beloved as this iconic production. A Christmas Story The Musical runs Nov. 10 through Jan. 5. 5501 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder. Tickets range from $40 to $69 each, and include dinner. www.bdtstage.com.

FaceMan at Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox

The Wilco- favored local avant-garde rock trio FaceMan has made a name for itself through fantastic songwriting, brilliant musicianship and occasionally over-the-top showmanship. They put on a great show — whether it’s from inside the jaw of a prehistoric megalodon or on top of a giant pink bar of soap a-la? the movie Fight Club — and their annual Parade of Lights is no exception. This year’s production at Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox in Denver on Dec. 23 at 7 p.m. includes openers Tivoli Club Brass Band and the sultry high- flying pole and aerial dance troupe Sirens of the North. Bring your own lights.
Head to www.opheliasdenver.com for tickets and more information.

Scrooge! The Musical at Candlelight Dinner Playhouse

With the encroaching holiday season comes the return of family-friendly holiday fare at all your local theaters. And if you love A Christmas Carol then you’ll flip for Candlelight Dinner Playhouse’s enduring tradition of Scrooge! The Musical. This holiday tale is a tribute to the classic Dickens’ novel and includes popular tunes like “I Hate People” and “Thank You Very Much” as Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by the ghosts of the past, present and future on Christmas Eve. This one runs Nov. 23 through Dec. 31 at Candlelight Dinner Playhouse, 4747 Marketplace Drive, Johnstown.
Tickets (which include a delicious dinner) range from $29.95 to $61.95 and are available at www.coloradocandlelight.com.

5 things you didn’t know about Thanksgiving:

Ben Franklin lobbied for the turkey to be the national bird, not the Bald Eagle.
The night before Thanksgiving is the biggest drinking night of the year — outpacing New Year’s Eve and St. Patrick’s Day.
Americans eat about 525 million pounds of Turkey on Thanksgiving.
President Jefferson thought a Thanksgiving holiday was ridiculous.
The Detroit Lions are still remarkably awful.