Nutcrackers, Family Theater, and Musical Performances

December 14 The Vienna Boys' Choir, one of the best-known choirs in the world, will perform a Holiday Celebration at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Tickets $28.50 to $54.50. Editor's Note: Performances are listed alphabetically by venue location.

Family Fun Saturdays. Regent Theatre, 7 Medford St., Arlington. 10:30 a.m. 12/1 Legacy Dancers 'Tis the Season; 12/8 Ben Rudnick's 6th Annual Holiday Extravaganza, and 12/15 Meryl Galaid Sings Favorite Children's Songs and More. Ticket prices vary from $6 - $15. 781-646-4849. www.regenttheatre.com

Free Concerts. The Great Hall at Pakachoag, Pakachoag Community Music School, 203 Pakachoag St., Auburn. Mon., 12/3 at 6:30 p.m. and Tues., 12/4 at 7 p.m: Student Performance Class, Enjoy an informal, relaxed setting as music students prepare for upcoming holiday recitals; Fri., 12/7 at 7 p.m.: Creative Drama & Music Student Showcase: North Pole Star is an informal and fun holiday musical featuring elementary and middle school aged students; Sat., 12/8 and Sun., 12/9: Holiday Student Recitals features students of all ages playing favorite selections. Receptions following each recital session. Free and open to the public. 508-791-8159. www.pakmusic.org

A Christmas Story. Barre Players Theater, 64 Common St., Barre. Nov. 30, Dec. 1, 2, 7, 8, and 9. Fri. and Sat., 8 p.m. Sundays, 2 p.m. Describes memories of growing up in the mid-west in the 1940s and follows 9-year-old Ralphie's quest to get a genuine Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas. A$14, St. $10, C (12 and under) $7. Reservations: 800-733-2096 or 978-355-2096.

A Christmas Carol. North Shore Music Theatre, 62 Dunham Rd., Beverly. Nov. 30 - Dec. 23. $33.75 - $70. 978-232-7200 or www.nsmt.org . Please bring unopened, unwrapped toys for boys and girls ages 2 - 12. All toys will be donated to three area organizations: Beverly Children's Learning Center, Beverly Bootstraps, and Headstart of Peabody.

A Spirited Holiday Concert. North Shore Music Theatre, Beverly. Dec. 17 at 7:30 p.m Sing along with your favorite songs and carols including selections from The Polar Express, A Chanukah Medley, and The Nutcracker Suite. Features performances by The North Shore Philharmonic, the New England Conservatory Community Gospel Choir, the NSMT Academy Choir, and the new NSMT Children's Choir, with students from 8 - 14 years old. $20pp. 978-232-7200 or www.nsmt.org

Irving Berlin's White Christmas. Wang Theatre, Boston. Nov. 23- Dec. 23. Based on the 1954 movie musical, this spectacular stage production showcases many of Irving Berlin's classics, including Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep, Sisters, How Deep is the Ocean, and the unforgettable title song, White Christmas. $22 - $150. www.WangTheatre.org

Disney's High School Musical: The Ice Tour. TD Banknorth Garden, Boston. Tickets on sale now for Feb. 2008. The one and only live fusion of songs, dance and team-spirited fun inspired by the smash hit Disney Channel Original Movie High School Musical and High School Musical 2. $21.50 - $76.50. 617-931-2000.

Peter Pan and Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse. Wheelock Family Theatre, 200 the Riverway, Boston. Peter Pan, Feb. 1 - March 2; Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, April 11 - May 11. 617-879-2300 or e-mail tickets@wheelock.edu .

Family Shows at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Columbia Point, Boston. 10:30 a.m. Fri., Dec. 28: National Marionette Theater's Pinocchio; Mon., Jan. 21: Len Cabral's Stories of Color from Around the World; Thurs., Feb. 21: Flying Ship's Productions' of Rosa's Ride: The Life of Rosa Parks; Sat., March 15: Darrah Carr's Dance's Traditional Irish Step. A$10, C (13 - 17) $7, C 12 and under free. www.jfklibrary.org

Once Upon a Time Children's Theatre. The Lyric Stage Company of Boston, 140 Clarendon St., Boston. The Snow Queen Dec. 8, 9, 15, 16; Thumbelina Jan. 19, 20, 26, 27; Rumplestiltskin Feb. 23, 24, March 1, 2; Swan Lake March 8, 9, 15; Make Way for the Ugly Duckling April 5, 6, 12, 13; Swampelot May 17, 18, 31, June 1. Call for ticket prices: 617-585-5683; 617-585-5678, or www.lyricstage.com

Puppet Shows. Puppet Showplace Theatre, Brookline. Tot Shows: Wed. & Thurs, 10:30 a.m. Ages vary 3 - 10. 12/5 & 6: Peter Rabbit by Pumpernickel Puppets; 12/12 & 13: Funny Bone Tales by Sarah Lamstein; 12/19 & 20: The Gingerbread Boy and other Tales by Pat's Puppets. Weekend Shows: Saturdays and Sundays, 1 & 3 p.m. 12/1 & 2: Shoemaker and the Elves by Poobley Greegy Theatre; 12/8 & 9: Holiday Fantasy by Spring Valley Puppet Theatre; 12/15 & 16: Cinderella, A Woodland Fairy Princess by Deborah Costine. Vacation Week Performances: 1 & 3 p.m. 12/22, 23, 24: Hansel and Gretel by Tanglewood Marionettes (12/24 at 1 p.m. only); 12/26 & 27: Here Come the Clowns by Paul Vincent Davis; 12/28, 29, & 30: Velveteen Rabbit by Applause Unlimited. All shows $10pp. Prepaid reservations recommended. 617-731-6400. Visit Web site for more details. www.puppetshowplace.org

Children's Shows at the Coolidge Corner Theater. 290 Harvard St., Brookline. Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. 12/1: Toe Jam Puppet Band; 12/8: Big NazO!; 12/15: Wizard of Oz movie ($3 pp); 12/29: Cinderella Tanglewood Marionettes; 1/5 Bucky and Gig! Clown Comedian Show; 1/19: Zany Acts with Michael Zerphy; 1/26: 3 Cats in Venice; 3/8: Alex the Jester. A$10, C$8. 617-734-2500. www.coolidge.org

Family Shows at the Amazing Things Arts Center, 55 Nicholas Rd., Framingham. Sat., Dec 1, 11 a.m.: Flooky & The Beans $8pp; Sat., Dec 15, 11 a.m.: Celebrate the December Holidays with magician Debbie O'Carroll and musician Tom O'Carroll $8pp. 508-405-ARTS (2787) or www.amazingthings.org

Holiday Revelry. Performing Arts Center performed at the Framingham Civic League Theater, 214 Concord St., Framingham. Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 8 and 9 at 2 p.m. An original, multicultural, musical celebration of winter. The cast is made up of seventeen children ages 8-16 and seven adults. Features area music and dance groups. Advance tickets: A$10, C$8; $2 more at the door. 508 875-5554. www.pacmetrowest.org

The King and I. Mount Wachusett Community College, 444 Green St., Gardner. 8 - 11 p.m. Dec. 1, 7, 8 and 2 p.m. Dec. 2 & 9. A$20, $15 matinees, St. $10. 978-632-2403 or www.theatre.mwcc.edu

Amahl and the Night Visitors. Indian Hill Music School, 36 King St., Littleton. Fri., Dec. 14, 7:30 p.m.; Sat, Dec. 15, 8 & 7:30 p.m., and Sun., Dec. 16 at 3 p.m. Ages 6+. One-act Christmas opera about a poor family visited by the Three Kings on their way to see the Christ child. A$12, St. $10.l 978-486-9524 or www.indianhillmusic.org

Vienna Boys Choir Holiday Celebration, and Sesame Street Live. Lowell Auditorium, 50 East Merrimack St., Lowell. Vienna Boys Choir Holiday Celebration: Fri., Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m. $28.50- $54.50. Sesame: Jan. 24 - 27. 978-454-2299. www.lowellauditorium.com

Aladdin and the Magic Lamp. Gerwick Puppets, Bigelow School, 57 Orchard St., Marlborough, Thurs., Dec. 27. Performance 1 p.m. - $7; Workshop 2:15 p.m-$15; $20 for both. Advance tickets - $2 discount. 978-562-1646. www.upwitharts.org

One-Act Holidays Plays: Pocket Full of Tales. The Center for Arts in Natick (TCAN) 14 Summer St., Natick. Dec. 8 & 15: 11 a.m. A bumbling and silly team of elves enlist the audience in solving the mystery of where Santa's Christmas tree has gone. $8, C under 12 $5. 508-647-0097. www.natickarts.org

Disney on Ice: High School Musical. Dunkin Donuts Center, Providence, RI. Tickets on sale for the Jan. 22 & 23 show. www.dunkindonutscenter.com

Three Shows: and Cirque Dreams, Go Diego, Go!, and Addy: An American Girl Story. Providence Center for the Performing Arts, Providence, RI. Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy, Dec. 4- 9. Dec. 6th is Kids' Night on Broadway at the Cirque with pre-show activities. Children are free with paying adult on 12/6. $33-$55. Go, Diego, Go Live! The Great Jaguar Rescue!, Feb. 15 - 17; Addy, May 3 at 2 & 6 p.m. 401-421-ARTS. www.ppacri.org

Annie and Super Scientific Circus. Symphony Hall, Springfield. Annie: Dec. 7, 8 p.m. Circus: Feb. 29, 10 a.m. Tickets: www.symphonyhall.com

Miracle on 34th Street. Stoneham Theatre, 395 Main St., Stoneham. Nov. 29 - Dec. 23. A$40, St. $20. www.stonehamtheatre.org

Girl Authority Concert. West Boylston Middle School/High School, Central St., West Boylston. Sat., Jan. 26 at 3 p.m. Snow Date: Feb. 2. A familyfriendly pop concert for ages 5+. Local rising stars, princesses of 'tween pop, will perform cover songs and originals off of their two CDs. $10pp. For tickets, call 508-835-2629 or e-mail carrie.wattu@verizon.net. www.girlauthority.com

White Christmas. Center Stage and Westford Parks & Rec. Blanchard Middle School Auditorium, 14 West St., Westford. Dec. 7 at 7 p.m.; Dec. 8 at 2 & 7 p.m.. Features young performers from the Merrimack Valley between the ages of 6 and 17. $10. Call 978-392-3433 or purchase them at the The Toy Shop of Westford , 160 Littleton Rd., 978-692-0092, 978-392-3433, or www.centerstageperformingarts.com

A Christmas Story. Foothills Theatre, 100 Front St., Worcester. Dec. 1 - 23. 3 & 7:30 p.m. Thurs. - Sun. A$30, C$19. 508-754-4018. www.foothillstheatre.com

Princess Classics Disney on Ice. DCU Center, Worcester. Jan. 24 - 27. Tickets on sale: Sun. 12/9. Most seats $13 on opening night. Other nights: $42 VIP seats; $26 - $16. 617-228-6000. www.dcu.com

Nutcracker Magic

The Nutcracker: Albany Berkshire Ballet. Sat., Dec. 1, 3 & 7 p.m. & Sun., Dec. 2, 1 p.m, at the Collins Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Shawsheen Rd., Andover. Fri., Dec. 21, 4:30 & 7:30 p.m. & Sun., Dec. 22, 1 & 4:30 p.m. at The Colonial Theatre, Pittsfield. Sat., Dec. 15 1:30 & 4:30 p.m. at Symphony Hall, Springfield. Ticket prices range from $9 - $33.50. Ticket info: 413-445-5382. www.berkshireballet.org

The Nutcracker at the Opera House. Boston. Nov. 29 - Dec. 29. 617-259-3400. www.bostonballet.com

Braintree Ballet Company's Nutcracker Ballet. East Middle School, Braintree. Dec., 8, 2 & 7 p.m. and Dec., 9, 2 p.m. No children under 3, including infants, allowed. $17 all seats. 781-380-8856. www.braintreeballetcompany.com

2nd Annual Nutcracker Performance. Leominster High School, Leominster. Sun., Dec., 16 at 2 p.m. Performed by Lindsey's School of Dance in Lancaster and Princeton Academy of Dance in Princeton. Free. Please bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate to WHEAT Community Center in Clinton for less fortunate families. 978-534-3545 or 978-464-2402.

Dance Prism's The Nutcracker. Dec. 2, Westford Academy, 1 & 5 p.m; Dec. 9, Mechanics Hall, Worcester, 1 & 5 p.m.; Dec. 15, J. Everett Collins Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Shawsheen Rd., Andover, 2:30 & 6:30 p.m, (Also Dec. 16, 2:30 p.m.); Dec. 8, Lincoln-Sudbury High School, 390 Lincoln Rd., Sudbury at 2:30 and 6:30 p.m. An exciting cast of dancers who join the production from six states, colorful costumes, lively choreography, and falling snow, a reindeer drawn sleigh, and a magically growing Christmas tree. A$22, C/Sr.$16. Tickets: 978-371-1038. www.danceprism.com

Paula Meola Dance & Performing Arts, Inc. Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical High School, Fitchburg. Sun., Dec. 2 at 1 & 4 p.m.. A$12, C$10. 978-422-6989. www.paulameoladance.com