The holiday

season always seems like a magical time of the year.

Traditions

have been handed down for many generations and almost every culture in

the world can feel connected by them. The ballet presentation of "The

Nutcracker" is one of these traditions. It has been around for over

100 years and the story continues to attract and entertain audiences.

The Georgia

Youth Ballet is just one of the many ballet companies to perform "The

Nutcracker" every year. The company will present its production in

Fayette County, this weekend and next.

"The Nutcracker"

is based on a book by E.T.A. Hoffman. In 1891, famed choreographer Marius

Petipa became enchanted with the book and commissioned Tchaikovsky to

write the music for a ballet. The ballet debuted in Russia at the Kirov

Ballet in 1892 and the rest, as they say, is history.

The story is

about a holiday christmas party where a little girl, Clara, receives a

Nutcracker as a gift. Her brother breaks it and Clara sneaks downstairs

to check on it after everyone goes to sleep. Things begin to get strange

as the Christmas tree grows and mice, led by the mouse King, fill the

room. The Nutcracker comes to life, summons his soldiers and battles the

Mouse King. He cannot defeat him, though, and the Mouse King captures

Clara.

Clara stops

the Mouse king and the Nutcracker becomes a prince. Clara and the Nutcracker

travel to the Land of Snow and the Land of Candy before the dream ends

and Christmas Day arrives.

The Georgia

Youth Ballet's production of "The Nutcracker" will be performed

at Our Lady of Mercy High School at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2 and at 2:30 p.m.

Dec. 3. A portion of the proceeds from the weekend's performances will

benefit the school's fine arts department.

The troupe

also will perform at Sams Auditorium Dec. 8 and 9. Dr. Ferrol Sams will

be a special guest Dec. 8 and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the

Joseph Sams School. The performance will begin at 7:30 p.m. The show Dec.

9 will be a performance for scouts and other groups at 2:30 p.m. They

will receive a backstage tour and a commemorative patch as well as admission

to the show.

Tickets are

now on sale. Phone the studio in Fayetteville at 770-716-9858 forinformation

and reservations.

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