Visions of Sugarplums

Why mess with a good thing? The Albany Berkshire Ballet presents its annual tour of the holiday classic The Nutcracker with an eye toward elegant design, great music, and heartfelt performances. Artistic director Madeline Cantarella Culpo choreographs this production, working with theater and movie set designer Carl Sprague (a Stockbridge native) and costume designers Rita Watson and Victile Donahue. The Nutcracker will feature local dance students in special children’s roles alongside the professional dancers of the ABB. This year’s company includes dancers from around the United States, as well as Brazil and Japan.

Albany Berkshire Ballet — The Nutcracker: Saturday, Dec. 10 at 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. $22-$40. Symphony Hall, 34 Court St., Springfield. (413) 788-7033, symphonyhall.com.

— Hunter Styles