Perhaps the most famous ballet of all time, The Nutcracker, will be performed again this year in collaboration with the Nolte Academy of Dance.

The performance will open at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Englert Theater, 221 E. Washington St. Performances will continue through Saturday with an additional matinee performance at 2 p.m. and then at 2 and 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 8. Admission is $14 for youth, $18 for students and seniors, and$26 for adults.

The story of Clara and her quest to defeat the evil Mouse King, filled with dancing nutcrackers and toys through the Land of Snow and Kingdom of Sweets, is beloved by children of all ages, making it an excellent bonding activity.

“The Nutcracker is a community tradition that we believe in,” said Englert Executive Director Andre Perry. “The performance features more than 120 children working together to put together an amazing show. We continue to be excited and thankful to the Nolte Academy of Dance that we are able to host and help produce this big community-based show on an annual basis.”

Each year, the show expands and improves, and the Englert and Nolte eagerly anticipate this year’s performance.

“We are excited once again to bring our Nutcracker tradition to the Englert,” said Leslie Nolte of the Nolte Academy of Dance. “New this year within our timeless classic ballet is choreography and costumes for three diverts, a new doll pas de deux in our party scene, and new state of the art-lighting equipment featuring a new light design by Jeff Crone.

“We are also proud and excited to welcome our professional guest artist Sam Shapiro who trained at the Royal Ballet School in London and performed and toured with Boston Ballet and New Zealand Ballet.”

With just five performances, Nolte and the Englert hope for a big turnout to bring this beautiful ballet to as many people as possible.

— by Justus Flair