A devil of a time Teatro Mascara Magica touts “La Pastorela” as San Diego’s longest-running professional theater production. Credibility may depend upon the breadth of your chimney, but in any case, the 20th anniversary of San Diego’s “La Pastorela” is worth celebrating. This year’s telling of the shepherds’ bedeviled trip to Bethlehem, written by Max Branscomb, is titled “La Pastorela de Libertad,” performed in English with Christmas carols sung in Spanish. The socio-political subplot concerns a Southwestern College journalism student whose new husband is deported. Dave Rivas and Rhys Green portray the devils — Satan and Moloch — and TV star Willie Green returns as Michael the Archangel. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Sunday, Dec. 9–12; Thursday-Saturday, Dec. 16–18; and 2 p.m., Saturdays-Sundays, Dec. 11–12 and 18–19 on the Lyceum Stage, San Diego Repertory Theatre, 79 Horton Plaza. (619) 544-1000. Cracking ‘Nuts’ City Ballet presents its 16th annual production of “The Nutcracker,” created by directors Steven and Elizabeth Wistrich, fashioned after the original choreography of Lev Ivanov and featuring a company of professional dancers, children from the City Ballet School and a live orchestra playing music by Tchaikovsky. 7:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, Dec. 10-11 and 17-18; 2 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays, Dec. 11-12 and 18-19; Spreckels Theatre, 121 Broadway. (858) 272-8663. California Ballet performs its annual “Nutcracker” with San Diego Symphony under the baton of John Stubbs, guest artist Gennadi Saveliev, a soloist with American Ballet Theatre, and Cassandra Lund. Performances are 2:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec 18; 1 and 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19; and 2:30 and 7 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 21. San Diego Civic Theatre, Third and B streets. (619) 570-1100 or (858) 560-6741. Santa & all that jazz South African singer/guitarist Jonathan Butler, keyboardist Brian Culbertson and Dutch saxophone star Candy Dulfer join saxophonist Dave Koz, who recently received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, to celebrate the music of the season for the whole family. One night only: Friday, Dec. 10, 8 p.m., Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave. (619) 570-1100. Holiday Pops San Diego Symphony presents its annual Holiday Pops, conducted by Matthew Garbutt and featuring Broadway Star Brian Stokes Mitchell, San Diego Master Chorale and San Diego Children’s Choir. Full-length concert performances at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18; and 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 19. An abbreviated Holiday Pops Family Festival takes place at 2 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 19, $10-$25, Copley Symphony Hall, Seventh and B streets. www.sandiegosymphony.org or (619) 235-0804.
