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Auditions set at Calisesi for ‘The Nutcracker’. ANTIOCH — Antioch Children’s Theatre will hold auditions for the drama “The Nutcracker” at 7 p.m. Oct. 17-18. The play, which is a drama rather than a ballet, has openings for actors 8 and older. Everyone cast will have a speaking role. If cast, a $75 nonrefundable participation fee is required. Rehearsals will be 5 to 7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays beginning Oct. 24. Performances set for Nov. 25-27 and Dec. 2-4 at the Virginia J. Calisesi Studio Theatre, 512 W. Second St., Antioch.

CINEQUEST CONNECTION: Not surprisingly, there was a mob of people waiting to see William H, Macy at the after-party for Cinequest, which opened Tuesday night with the Macy-directed film “Krystal.” There was a lot of positive buzz about the coming-of-age dramedy — which stars Rosario Dawson and features Macy and his wife, Felicity Huffman, in supporting roles — at the festivities at Farmers Union and Sushi Confidential in downtown San Jose, But one couple — Julie Lieberman Neale and her husband, Chris Neale — actually got vintage orange ceramic ballet slippers, ballet shoes, wall hanging, ballerina gift to sit and nosh with Macy and Rachel Winter, the producer of “Krystal” and “Dallas Buyers Club,” at Farmers Union, Winter and Julie Neale, a life and leadership coach who founded Mother’s Quest, have been friends since they were five growing up in the San Fernando Valley..

SHN: The Best of Broadway series will present the 2014 musical “If/Then” (Nov. 10-Dec. 6), the Tony-winning smash “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” (Dec. 1-27); “Dirty Dancing” (Feb. 23-March 20), a revival of “Cabaret” (June 21-July 17, 2016); and the return of “Beautiful: The Carole King Story” (Aug. 9-Sept. 18, 2016), plus one show TBA. Subscription packages, $222.50-$680, and full schedule at www.shnsf.com. Single tickets go on sale later.

A final meditation wraps up the class, Everyone finishes with a smile and a sheen of sweat, There are some sore wrists and triceps from working with the sabers but most agree it was fun, “You really feel like a Jedi,” says Valerie Villar, vintage orange ceramic ballet slippers, ballet shoes, wall hanging, ballerina gift 26, who’s taking part with boyfriend Gerry Brenes, 29, “You have the sound going whenever you move it, so the whole experience (is) brought to life.” Brenes says, “It’s a great opportunity to continue to live out that fantasy.”..

Festival Opera ‘Ariadne auf Naxos’ opening night July 10. This “opera within an opera” features both lighthearted comedy and heroic grand opera, as two different performing troupes compete for the attention of a wealthy patron. Opening Night, Friday, July 10, 8 p.m., and Sunday, July 12, 2 p.m., at Hofmann Theatre, at Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. Tickets on Friday night $39-$85 for adults, and Sunday $45-$88 for adults which can be purchased through the Lesher Center for the Arts ticket office in person, or at www.lesherartscenter.org or by calling 925-943-7469. There is an opening-night dinner, July 10, 5 p.m., at Prima Ristorante, 1522 N Main St., Walnut Creek, $120.