By Diana Nollen/ SourceMedia Group

Nolte Academy of Dance: ‘The Nutcracker’

Nolte Academy of Dance will present "The Nutcracker" ballet Dec. 2 to 4, 2011, at the Englert Theatre in downtown Iowa City. (Nathan Gould photo)

Friday to Sunday, Dec. 2 to 4, 2011

Join Clara and her prince on their magical journey that begins under a tree and winds through the Land of Snow and the Kingdom of Sweets, battling the evil Mouse King along the way. This holiday classic springs to life under the talented toes of Iowa City area dancers led by the Nolte Academy and a 30-piece orchestra led by Carey Bostian. The beloved ballet is a gift wrapped in glittering ribbons of wonder, threading through Tchaikovsky’s timeless music. It’s a place where broken toys and broken dreams are mended in a most enchanting way.

Nolte Academy of Dance: “The Nutcracker”: 7:30 p.m. Friday (12/2), 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday (12/3), 2 p.m. Sunday (12/4), Englert Theatre, 221 E. Washington St., Iowa City; $16 to $22, (319) 688-2653, www.englert.org

“Wooden Snowflakes”

Dec. 1 to 18, 2011

Deborah Kennedy and Tom Milligan of West Amana star in "Wooden Snowflakes" at the Old Creamery's Studio Theatre in Middle Amana. (Shelley Klimes photo)

It’s been a long time since cynical Eve has believed in anything, let alone Christmas, Santa Claus or love. When her car slides off an icy road on Christmas Eve, she finds herself in a different world in the home of Simon, a woodcarver and Christmas believer who wholeheartedly embraces the magic of the season. As the night unfolds, Simon and Eve clash time and time again as Eve’s long suppressed wounds rise to the surface to be healed by the love that is Christmas. Husband and wife actors Tom Milligan and Deborah Kennedy star in this heartwarming holiday tale.

“Wooden Snowflakes”: Dec. 1 to 18, 2011, Old Creamery Theatre Studio Stage, former Amana Middle School, 3023 220th Trl., Middle Amana; 3 p.m. Thursdays and Sundays, 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, $17.50 and $27, 1-(800) 35-AMANA, www.oldcreamery.com

Melissa Villasenor

Melissa Villasenor

Friday and Saturday, Dec. 2 and 3, 2011

Stand-up comedian and impressionist Melissa Villasenor made a huge impression with “America’s Got Talent” television viewers, who voted her into this season’s finals. Now we can experience her many voices in person at Penguins. From her teen days at Comedy Camp, the Los Angeles native has graduated to regular gigs at the Improv, Comedy Store and Comedy and Magic Club. She’s done impressions of Ellen DeGeneres and Sarah Silverman on “Frank TV” on TBS, Nora Ephron on Fox’s “Family Guy” and voiced various characters on Cartoon Network’s “Adventure Time.” We love the title of her one-woman show: “I’m Not Myself.”

Melissa Villasenor: 7:30 p.m. Friday (12/2) and Saturday (12/3), Penguins Comedy Club, 208 Second Ave. SE; $15, 21 and older, (319) 362-8133 or www.penguinscomedyclub.com