DATE LINES Today’s piCks

Noir Noel: French Xmas Noirs: A pair of rare, dark-as-pitch French film noirs with a Christmas theme, “Who Killed Santa Claus” (1941) and “Paris Pickup” (1962) with Lea Massari. Double feature starts at 7:15 p.m. Roxie Theater, S.F. www.roxie.com

San Francisco Ballet: Sparkles, tutus, dazzling stagecraft and a magnificent orchestra: S.F. Ballet’s “Nutcracker” has it all. 7 p.m. Through Dec. 30. War Memorial Opera House, S.F. www. sfballet.org

Matthew McIntosh: The author will discuss his mammoth 1,664page novel “theMystery.doc” (about, among other things, a novelist working on his latest book). 7-9 p.m. City Lights Bookstore, 261 Columbus Ave., S.F. www.citylights.com

“Miss Bennet: Christmas at

Pemberley”: City Lights Theater Company presents the South Bay premiere of Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon’s romantic and rollicking comedy about the middle sister of “Pride and Prejudice,” beginning two years after Jane Austen’s novel concludes. 8 p.m. $19-$44. City Lights Theater Company, San Jose. (408) 295-4200. www. cltc.org

Chanticleer: The men’s chorus presents its annual Christmas concert, featuring Gregorian chant, Renaissance polyphony, carols and more. Through Dec. 23. Stanford, Sacramento, Petaluma, San Francisco, Berkeley, Santa Clara, Carmel. www. chanticleer.org