Tchaikovsky Classic Cracks the Wonderful World of Disney Imagination

This year, Hoffman’s holiday classic “The Nutcracker” can be seen in several interpretations: the Bolshoi Ballet’s traditional Tchaikovsky version (A&E;), a version that combines it with “A Christmas Carol” (Bravo), one that modernizes the story--using comic books and Barbie dolls--and places it in the 1960s (KCET) and for the much younger set, there’s the “Care Bears Nutcracker Suite” (Disney).

Add to those one of the newest--and liveliest--versions: Disneyland Presents Mickey’s Nutcracker, a live stage version done at Disneyland, featuring Minnie as the heroine and Mickey as the Nutcracker Prince.

The story begins traditionally enough. Minnie’s mansion is much like the one in the conventional ballet, but when Mickey and Minnie head out they’re on their way to Candyland in a poodle-drawn open sleigh.

Tchaikovksy’s well-known melodies are rendered in rap, swing-tap, country hoedown, jitterbug and Big Band.

“Disneyland Presents Mickey’s Nutcracker” Wednesday 7-7:30 p.m. Disney Channel. For ages 2 and up.

MORE FAMILY SHOWS

From the creators of “Widget” and “Mr. Bogus,” The Moo Family Holiday Hoe-Down (Sunday 9:30-10 a.m. KABC) features Santa Cow --his Turbo Sleigh--and a bovine family singing holiday fare. For ages 2 to 11.

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Rugrats (Sunday 10:30-11 a.m. also Saturday 8:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Nickelodeon) and their families visit a cabin in the mountains for the “perfect” Christmas. But Tommy and Chuckie decide to lay traps for Santa. Then Chuckie’s dad decides to squeeze his way down the chimney as Santa to surprise the kids. For ages 3 to 10.

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On A Goof Troop Christmas (Sunday 4-5 p.m. KCAL) Goofy and Max decide to go to “Aspirin,” Colo., to celebrate Christmas with their friends. For ages 2 to 8.

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Steven Spielberg’s Tiny Toon Christmas (Sunday 7-7:30 p.m. Fox) features a toon twist on “It’s a Wonderful Life.” For ages 2 to 8.

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Kermit the Frog visits an enchanted playroom where toys come to life and anxiously await new Christmas arrivals in The Christmas Toy (Sunday 8-9 p.m. Nickelodeon), including a catnip mouse with a very big heart, a tiger with an ego twice his size and a doll that is a little bit older and wiser. For ages 2 to 11.

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Lifestories: Families in Crisis (Tuesday 7:30-8 p.m. HBO) presents “Blood Brothers: The Joey DiPaolo Story,” a docudrama about the consequences of an 11-year-old boy’s public admission that he has the AIDS virus. The show includes an appearance by the real Joey and his mother who encourage families to learn the truth about AIDS, emphasizing that “kids who have AIDS are regular kids, so you don’t have to be afraid of them.” For ages 10 and up.

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Elizabeth, “too little to be big and too big to be little,” learns what it means to be the middle child in For Better or Worse: “A Christmas Angel” (Monday 7:30-8 p.m. Disney). For ages 4 and up.

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Science Frontiers’ (Wednesday 9-10 a.m. Learning Channel) episode of “The Next Frontier” profiles scientific breakthroughs that have occurred in outer space. For ages 12 and up.

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The Life & Adventures of Santa Claus (Friday 6-7 p.m. Disney) tells the story of the mortal baby discovered on the edge of the Immortal’s forest, based on the L. Frank Baum book. For ages 2 to 12.

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Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol (Saturday 6:05-7 p.m. Disney) is the classic 1962 animated show, a play within a play as the myopic Mr. Magoo (voice of Jim Backus) plays Scrooge in a Broadway musical edition of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” For ages 2 and up.