The California Ballet’s production of “Nutcracker” hit...

The California Ballet’s production of “Nutcracker” hit an eleventh-hour squeeze when the show’s lead dancer, Joe Wyatt, was sent home with leg injuries and the stage manager and lighting designer both quit. “At this point, I’m 99% sure I’ll be able to get one of the New York City Ballet principals here” to replace Wyatt, said Maxine Mahon. “But it’s still not definite. Joe was supposed to alternate with our special guest Mark Lanham as the Cavalier and the Snow King, so we really need someone to replace him.” Mahon said the show will go on regardless, with weekend performances at the East County Performing Arts Center, then to the Civic Theatre.