7:30 pm: Dance

Unlike most companies that annually perform “The Nutcracker” in the Southland, Ballet Pacifica of Orange County spends most of the year dancing original choreography: new works in a wide range of styles. Indeed, artistic director Molly Lynch has become so identified with commissioning ballets that simply repeating “The Nutcracker” year after year might seem to be child’s play. No way: Besides refurbishing sets and costumes, re-choreographing variations and teaching the work to new company members, Lynch is intent on keeping the story in focus--telling the tale through little Clara’s eyes and, in particular, linking the first and second acts to give the ballet dramatic unity.

* Ballet Pacifica in “The Nutcracker,” Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine. Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Dec. 17, 18, 19, 21, 22 and 23, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Sunday and Dec. 18, 19, 21, 22, 23 and 24, 2:30 p.m. $15 (children) to $19. (949) 854-4646.

7:30 pm: Music

Regularly acclaimed and annually performed, the performance of Handel’s “Messiah” by the Paulist Boy Choristers of California this year boasts the leadership of Martin Neary, the British musician who was for 10 years the organist and choirmaster at Westminster Abbey in London (and supervised the music at the funeral of Princess Diana, among other official duties). Neary is music director of the Boy Choristers for 1999-2000 while its permanent leader is on sabbatical.

* Martin Neary conducts the Paulist Boy Choristers of California in Handel’s “Messiah” at Saint Paul the Apostle Church, 10750 Ohio Ave., Westwood, 7:30 p.m. $12 to $40. Also Saturday at 7:30 p.m. (213) 365-3500.

all day: Movies

You know it’s Oscar season when you start seeing posters of the latest Tom Hanks movie around town. In “The Green Mile,” Hanks stars as a prison guard who finds himself questioning his orders after he and several other guards befriend a death row inmate (Michael Clarke Duncan) who proves to have healing powers. The film, which is set in the 1930s, is written and directed by Frank Darabont (“The Shawshank Redemption”) and is adapted from a story by Stephen King. Other prestige films opening this week include Tim Robbins’ “Cradle Will Rock,” Lasse Hallstrom’s “The Cider House Rules,” Woody Allen’s “Sweet and Lowdown” and Mike Figgis’ “Miss Julie.” For those with less rarefied tastes, check out the Rob Schneider comedy, “Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo.”

* “The Green Mile,” which is rated R for violence, language and some sex-related material, opens Friday in general release.

8 pm: Theater

With a family-friendly focus, classical theater company A Noise Within presents Geoff Elliott’s brand-new adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.”

* “A Christmas Carol,” Luckman Fine Arts Complex, Cal State L.A., 5151 State University Drive. Fridays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 7 p.m.; Saturdays-Sundays, 2 p.m.; also Wednesday-Dec. 16, 8 p.m. Ends Dec. 19. $26 to $30; opening night, $40. (323) 224-6420.

8 pm: Pop Music

The golden tones from ageless singer Johnny Mathis have warmed hearts since his single “Wonderful, Wonderful” was released in 1957. Mathis’ interpretations of holiday favorites are especially cozy, and here he’ll dohits such as “Misty” and “Chances Are” as well as seasonal favorites like “Sleigh Ride” and “The Christmas Song” in his own special way. Comedian Gary Muledeer opens.

* Johnny Mathis, Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 12700 Center Court Drive, Cerritos, 8 p.m. Also Saturday. $67 to $77. Sold out. (800) 300-4345.

all day: Movies

“42 Up” is the sixth installment in Michael Apted’s long-running “7 Up” documentary series. In the early ‘60s, Apted interviewed and filmed a group of British 7-year-olds, and he has returned to that same group of people every seven years. Each installment proves to be more surprising than the last.

* “42 Up,” Nuart, 11272 Santa Monica Blvd., West Los Angeles. Friday, 5:30 and 8:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 11:30 a.m., 2:30, 5:30 and 8:30 p.m.; Monday-Dec. 16, 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. $5 to $8. (310) 478-6379. The film is unrated.

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FREEBIES: “Klowny in Klowny’s Big Date” at Actors’ Gang El Centro, 6201 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. Fridays and Saturdays at 11 p.m. Through Dec. 18. (323) 465-0566.

Pianist Jane Getz leads her quartet at LACMA, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, 5:30 p.m. (323) 857-6000.