I know, I know. It’s so easy to despise The Nutcracker. I hear the same old tirades every year: The score is overplayed, the story is dated and the production has simply been done to death.

But this year, I urge you to give Ballet West’s The Nutcracker another chance. Even the snarkiest, most jaded mind can’t resist the magic spell that the swirling snow, jewel-toned costumes and soft live rendition of Tchaikovsky’s enchanting “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” casts on the audience. If nothing else, The Nutcracker is a welcome diversion from the raging health-carereform debate, hysteria over a certain strain of the flu that shall go nameless here and a still-iffy economy. No matter what is going in your dayto-day life, The Nutcracker will temporarily transport you to an enchanted, worry-free kingdom.

If your snarky, jaded mind still isn’t convinced that The Nutcracker has any redeeming qualities, consider attending one of Ballet West’s patented Nutty Nutcracker performances (Dec. 30-31), featuring extra-special comic flourishes and a few unexpected surprises. And, if you decide to bring the kids, after each matinee performance (excluding Dec. 24 & 31), you can pay an additional $5 to go backstage for refreshments, a special treat and an exclusive meeting with the Sugar Plum Fairy and a few other cast members.

Ballet West’s The Nutcracker @ Capitol Theatre, 50 W. 200 South, 801-355-ARTS, Dec. 4–31. Also @ Weber State University McKay Events Center, 3750 Harrison Blvd., Ogden, Dec. 27-28. Arttix.org.