Great Russian Nutcracker

When it comes to taking in a production of The Nutcracker, San Antonians have options that range from the homegrown to the overblown. While most have already come and gone, Moscow Ballet’s signature Great Russian Nutcracker wraps up the yuletide season with a decidedly extravagant bow. Comprising 40 dancers trained in the world-renowned method created by Russian ballet mistress Agrippina Vaganova, the company has been touring North American every year since 1993 — performing in 80-plus cities, conducting workshops and welcoming aspiring youngsters to the stage through its “Dance with Us” program. Distinguished by 10-foot-tall puppets, nine dazzling, handpainted backdrops and “hundreds of exquisite costumes,” their over-the-top Great Russian Nutcracker takes a number creative liberties with the 19th-century classic scored Tchaikovsky and choreographed by Marius Petipa — including moving the ballet to the onion-domed city of Moscow, adding a Dove of Peace character and rebranding the fanciful Land of Sweets as the Land of Peace and Harmony.