Critic Ron Hubbard includes Ballet Minnesota’s “Classic Nutcracker” in his listings of 11 holiday dance entertainment events for 2015 on www.twincities.com, the Pioneer Press website:

“THE CLASSIC NUTCRACKER

Dec. 18-20: Ballet Minnesota has been presenting its version of “The Nutcracker” for 28 years. As with other local troupes, it acts as the year’s highest-profile showcase for its students, but its “Classic Nutcracker” also imports some outstanding lead dancers. This year, the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy will be danced by Violeta Angelova, a soloist from Washington, D.C.’s renowned Suzanne Farrell Ballet, while the Cavalier will be Joffrey Ballet alum Matthew Prescott. And those adrenalin-delivering Russians come from the Cheremosh Ukrainian Dance Ensemble. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19, 2 p.m. Dec. 20; the O’Shaughnessy, St. Catherine University, 2004 Randolph Ave., St. Paul; $44-$18; 651-690-6700 or oshag.stkate.edu.”