Our own, homegrown Goh Ballet Nutcracker has a lot of serious attributes going for it. The lush sets span sleighs in sparkling falling snow, a gigantic chandelier, and a towering tannenbaum; Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky’s score is performed live by the Vancouver Opera Orchestra; and top dancers Jerome Tisserand and Elizabeth Murphy, from the Pacific Northwest Ballet, bring their considerable technical skill to the Cavalier Prince and the Sugar Plum Fairy. But it’s the fun, kid-friendly moments that set it apart, from tiny gymnasts tumbling out from under a giant skirt to mice that throw big hunks of cheese during the battle scene. Catch it Thursday to Tuesday (December 14 to 19) at the Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts.