Holiday activities kick into high gear starting this weekend, but dancers around the county have been on their toes for months, preparing for the beloved holiday offering, Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” ballet.

No less than five dance troupes are hosting Nutcracker productions between now and Christmas, with shows ranging from the traditional to the unexpected.

Starting off the season is the Dance Arts Theatre of Silverdale, under the direction of Irene Miller, owner of Irene’s School of Dance.

Their production runs Nov. 26 and 27 at the Bremerton High School Performing Arts Center.

It features performances by guest dancers from Seattle’s Pacific Northwest Ballet, Lindsi Dec as the Snow Queen and Sugar Plum Fairy, and Karel Cruz as the Sugar Plum Cavalier and the Snow King.

Approximately 125 dancers ranging from 10 to 20 years old frolic in the production, playing everything from gumdrops to snowflakes. Playing the lead roles are Ashley Smith as Clara, Olivia Nelsen as Franz, Sam Balcomb as Drosselmeyer, Stephanie Fedorovski as Ribbon Candy, Maya Mozon as the Spanish lead and Jennifer Osburn as the Arabian Princess.

As an alternative to live dancers twirling on their toes in a cloud of tulle and ribbon, the Jewel Box Theatre in Poulsbo is hosting a puppet version, “The Mousecracker,” by puppeteer Roger Mara for three shows Nov. 26.

This is the third year the theater has brought in the puppet show, and it’s been a big hit with families every year. An added treat is that Mara loves to interact with his young audience members, and ends each performance by opening his puppet theater for a behind-the-scenes look at how it’s done.

Dec. 2-4 sees Nutcracker dancers back on stage at the Bremerton High School Arts Center, as Peninsula Dance Theatre of Bremerton stages its 27th annual production, under the artistic direction of Lawan Morrison.

The PDT production features live musical accompaniment from the Peninsula Ballet Orchestra, under the direction of guest conductor Alan Futterman, who recently conducted the opening performance of the Bainbridge Orchestra.

Performers include Samantha Garvin as Clara, Jovian Fry as the Prince, Taya Wollam as the Snow Queen, Forrest Steiber as the Snow King and Mallory Morrison and Chris Williams as the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier.

This is the 25th year of performing the Nutcracker with PDT for Williams, and Mallory Morrison is Director Morrison’s granddaughter.

In addition to the public performances, school children will be treated to a special shortened version Dec. 1.

The Olympic Performance Group, from Bainbridge Ballet, is the new kid on the Nutcracker block, and it pulls out the stops for its debut presentation of “Nutcracker 2005,” Dec. 9, 10, 11 and 16, 17, 18 at The Playhouse.

Sara Cramer, one of the directors, said the show features a range of dances beyond ballet, including tap and hip hop, and dancers “flying” across the stage. A crew specializing in aerial effects was brought in from California to set up the rigging.

The first act is performed by actors, not dancers, and the music will be traditional, with special effects that include a videographed backdrop designed to “broaden the appeal and preserve the traditional “Nutcracker” elements, according to the group’s press release.

The production features a cast of 60 dancers from all parts of the county, ranging in age from 4 to adult.

Academy of Dance in Port Orchard presents “The Nutcracker Narrative” for one performance only, 7 p.m. Nov. 10 at South Kitsap High School’s Win Granlund Performing Arts Center.

The performance is a benefit for Childhaven, which works to break the cycle of abuse and neglect through early therapeutic intervention, under the auspices of United Way.

The academy’s Nutcracker is directed by Jennifer McKinstry and Lynelle Stauffer, and features Ashely Hudgins as Clara, Dustin Stauffer as Drosselmeyer, Michelle Pachucki as the Rat King and Ben Hisel-Ritz as the Nutcracker Prince.

Choreographers are Jen McConnell, Lisa McGinley, Jennifer McKinstry and Lynelle Stauffer.

Dance Ensemble Northwest from Liberty Bay Danceworks in Poulsbo wraps up the Nutcracker season with performances Dec. 16-18 at North Kitsap Community Auditorium in Poulsbo.

The Italian variation is directed by long-time Dance Ensemble Director Michael Fallotico, and features older dancers as “large” gumdrops and holly fairies taking the place of the angels.

The production features close to 75 dancers, with Ruby Roberts playing Clara, Emma Harvey as the Snow Queen, Megan Barnes as the Sugar Plum Fairy, Johanna Lund as the Moss Rose and David Harvey as the Cavalier.

With five live performances and one puppet show, there’s bound to be a Nutcracker production near you this holiday season.

Nutcracker Schedules

• Dance Arts Theatre: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 26, 2:30 p.m. Nov. 27 at Bremerton High School Performing Arts Center. Tickets $12 all reserved seats, general admission $10 adults, $6 seniors, 18 and under. All tickets available at Irene’s School of Dance at (360) 692-4395, general admission at Kitsap Mall information booth.

• Mousecracker: 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. Nov. 26 at Jewel Box Theatre, 225 Iverson St., Poulsbo. Tickets $7, available at door but reservations recommended. Children 2 and younger free. For tickets call (360) 779-9688.

• Peninsula Dance Theatre: 8 p.m. Dec. 2 and 3, 3 p.m. Dec. 4 at Bremerton High School Performing Arts Center. Tickets $20 reserved, $15 general seating adults, $12 seniors and students, $10 children, available at the Bremerton and Port Orchard Chambers of Commerce, Kitsap Mall information booth and Bremerton Dance Center.

• Academy of Dance: 7 p.m. Dec. 10 at South Kitsap High School’s Win Granlund Performing Arts Center, Port Orchard. Tickets $8 advance, $10 door, all seats reserved. Show benefits United Way’s Childhaven.

• Olympic Performance Group: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9, 10, 16 and 17; 2 p.m. Dec. 11 and 18, plus Pay-What-You-Can-Thursday Dec. 15, at The Playhouse, 200 Madison Ave. N, Bainbridge. Tickets $27 adults, $22 seniors and students, available at Vern’s Drugs, Bainbridge Ballet and the Children’s Museum on Bainbridge Island and at Toys, Etc. in Poulsbo.

• Dance Ensemble Northwest: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16 and 17, 2:30 p.m. Dec. 18 at North Kitsap Community Auditorium, 1881 NE Hostmark, Poulsbo. Tickets $12 adults, $8 seniors and students, available at Liberty Bay Danceworks, 1223 Finn Hill Rd., Poulsbo and Liberty Bay Books, 18881-D Front St., Poulsbo. wu