Bring the family and celebrate the season with the truly beloved holiday favorite, “The Nutcracker Ballet.” The world-renowned Bolshoi Theatre’s luscious production of Tchaikovsky’s magical and cherished ballet streams to Orcas Center on Saturday, Dec. 19 at 6:30 pm.

Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” was first performed over 120 years ago The gorgeous costumes, exquisite production and enchanting characters we all love, will transport you to a fairyland of magic where you’ll see every detail as if you are sitting front row center of the grand Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow. The Bolshoi Theatre’s dimensions, its glittering architecture and its stage are awesome and miraculously, we at Orcas Center get to “be there!”

“The Nutcracker Ballet” is based on the story, “The Nutcracker and the King of Mice,” written by E.T.A. Hoffman about a young German girl who dreams of a Nutcracker Prince and a fierce battle against a Mouse King with seven heads.

This treasured and most popular ballet opens with a Christmas Eve party at a grand house with the most beautiful tree imaginable. The family is hosting their annual Christmas party, welcoming the arrival of their family and many guests. The children, Clara and Fritz, are dancing and playing as they welcome their friends too. Clara is given a remarkable nutcracker doll by her godfather and her brother is envious of this gift which becomes the hit of the party. As the clock strikes midnight strange things begin to happen. While Clara sleeps, she finds herself in the midst of the Nutcracker’s battle against the Mouse King and his army of mice. Coming to her aid, the Nutcracker is transformed into a Prince and journeys with Clara to the Land of Snow, the magical Kingdom of Sweets where the Sugar Plum Fairy holds a celebration in their honor.

An all-time favorite ballet for the holidays, the Bolshoi’s “The Nutcracker Ballet” is the perfect holiday outing for the whole family. See the extended trailer at www.orcascenter.org

Tickets for “The Nutcracker Ballet” are $18, $13 students and $2 off for Orcas Center members and may be purchased at www.orcascenter.org or by calling 376-2281 ext. 1 or visiting the Orcas Center Box Office open Wednesday – Friday from noon – 2 pm. $5 subsidized tickets are available at the Box Office. For more information about Orcas Center events, please visit www.orcascenter.org.