The Nutcracker has become perhaps the most popular of all ballets, performed primarily around Christmas time.

Those living in, and visiting, Pensacola will have several opportunities to dance with the Sugar Plum Fairy and grovel with the Mouse King. Join Ballet Pensacola this Holiday Season for this famous Christmas tale.

Ballet Pensacola will enchant audiences with three performances of the brand new, full-length production of the Nutcracker at the newly renovated Saenger Theatre on Dec. 19 and 20. Each performance will feature the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Peter Rubardt.

The story begins on Christmas Eve at the Stahlbaum house. Marie and her brother Fritz sit outside the parlor speculating about what kind of present their godfather Drosselmeyer, who is a clockmaker and inventor, has made for them.

When finally allowed in, Marie notices the Nutcracker doll, and asks whom he belongs to. Her father tells her that he belongs to all of them, but that since she is so fond of him she will be his special caretaker. Marie, her sister Louise, and her brother Fritz pass the Nutcracker among them, cracking nuts, until Fritz tries to crack a nut that is too big and hard, and the Nutcracker's jaw breaks. Marie, upset, takes the Nutcracker away and bandages him with a ribbon from her dress.

When it is time for bed, the children put their Christmas gifts away in the special cupboard where they keep their toys. Fritz and Louise go up to bed, but Marie begs to be allowed to stay with Nutcracker a while longer, and she is allowed to do so. She puts Nutcracker to bed and tells him that Drosselmeyer will fix his jaw as good as new. At this, the Nutcracker's face seems momentarily to come alive, and Marie is frightened. It’s at this point that she encounters the rest of the fairy tale characters.

Is it real or only her imagination?

Enjoy over 90 cast members in this brand new holiday classic choreographed by Ballet Pensacola Artistic Director, Richard Steinert.

Performances are as follows:

 Saturday, Dec. 19 at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m.

 Sunday, Dec. 20 at 1:30pm

Single ticket prices are $15 - $30 (plus applicable fees) and are available at the Saenger Theatre Box Office at 850-595-3880 or through Ticketmaster.

For more information, please visit www.balletpensacola.com or call 850-432-9546.