A Bay Area tradition continues with Center Repertory’s annual production of “A Christmas Carol,” running Dec. 12-22 at the Lesher Center. Charles Dickens’ beloved story receives a lively adaptation by Cynthia Caywood and Richard James as spectacular special effects and scary ghosts tell the story of Scrooge and Tiny Tim. Directed by Scott Denison, the production is brimming with music and dance, love and laughter. For tickets to this colorful, warmhearted holiday favorite, call 925-943-SHOW or go to www.lesherartscenter.org.

Recapping  the storyline is useless, because so much of “Spamalot” is based on double entendres, puns and madcap silliness.  Sure, there are parts that stretch credibility (a tiny but apparently evil, rabbit is one), and there are sight jokes galore.  Case in point: Right after King Arthur cuts off one, then both, of the Black Knight’s arms, a woman walks in with a basket and scoops them up.  A sign on her basket says “Arms for the flower girls ivory ballet style slipper flats, girls ivory shoes, mary jane ribbon, first communion shoes, pageant wear, baptism Poor.” (Alms, get it?), Melissa Sanchez’s costumes run the gamut from creative and colorful (like the “Broadway” number that features colorful, sexy dresses — some with ruffled rumba sleeves, and credible British outfits for King Arthur and his crew), But some seem pulled out of a rarely used costume storage closet with faded colors and lifeless looks.  Even the Lady of the Lake’s wedding gown looks slightly drab..

Ballet San Jose principal dancer Karen Gabay has created new choreography for Tchaikovsky’s beloved holiday ballet, The Nutcracker. “Waltz of the Flowers” from Gabay’s newly choreographed Nutcracker opened the program. Ballet San Jose presents the Tchaikovsky classic Dec. 8 through 23. Sir Frederick Ashton’s Thaïs Pas de Deux featured dancers Rudy Candia and Alexsandra Meijer. The work, set to “Meditation” from Massenet’s opera Thaïs, will be on the company’s second program of the season, in March.

Where: Bing Concert Hall, 327 Lasuen St., Stanford University, Tickets: $30-$95, What: Nrityagram Dance Ensemble, When: Saturday, Sept, 26, 7:30 p.m, Where: Bing Concert Hall, 327 Lasuen St., Stanford University, flower girls ivory ballet style slipper flats, girls ivory shoes, mary jane ribbon, first communion shoes, pageant wear, baptism Tickets: $30-$65_____________________________________________________________________________, What: Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society, When: Friday,Oct, 2, 7:30 p.m, Program: Real Enemies, Where: Bing Concert Hall, 327 Lasuen St., Stanford University, Tickets: $30-$65_____________________________________________________________________________..

A Festival of Lessons and Carols. 8 p.m. Dec. 7 and 8. Stanford Memorial Church. Free. 650-723-3811 or http://arts.stanford.edu/event/a-festival-of-lessons-and-carols/2012-12-07/. Stanford Chamber Chorale and Stanford Symphony Orchestra. Holiday Musicale. 2:30 p.m. Dec. 8. Stanford Memorial Church. Free-$10. 650-723-3811 or http://arts.stanford.edu/event/holiday-musicale/. Robert Hew Morgan, organ. Holiday Recital. 1:30 p.m. Dec. 9. Stanford Memorial Church. Free. 650-723-3811 or http://arts.stanford.edu/event/robert-huw-morgan-organ/.