Moscow Ballet performs The Nutcracker

'Tis the season for ballet companies to perform their own version of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker. The Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker pays tribute to Marius Petipa, who developed the Nutcracker and Swan Lake choreography and is credited as "The Father of Russian Ballet." Tonight, Thursday, Dec. 9, at 7:30 p.m. Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. Tickets are $27.50 to $87.50. Call 301-581-5100 or visit strathmore.org.