The Harbor Theatre will present a holiday favorite, “The Nutcracker,” performed by the Vienna State Ballet on Wednesday, Dec. 2 at 2 and 7 p.m.

Choreography and stage direction by the great Rudolf Nureyev. Nureyev's version enjoys a particular standing in the history of this well-known ballet in that it was the first to incorporate the psychology of E. T. A. Hoffman's fairy tale on which Tchaikovsky's ballet is based.

The critic Clive Barnes set the tone by remarking: "No version of ‘The Nutcracker’ that we have ever seen has been more potently dramatic; few have displayed so sharp an imprint of personal style.”

When the curtain rises, we are at the Stahlbaum house on Christmas Eve. The family's annual Christmas party is about to begin. The children of the house, Clara and Fritz, and all of the guests are having a wonderful time, and then … Clara's Godfather Drosselmeyer arrives scaring the daylights out of everyone but her. He presents her with a special gift – a nutcracker. Fritz tries to take if from her, it breaks and Clara is brokenhearted.

Clara falls asleep under the Christmas tree holding her nutcracker, and when the clock strikes midnight … the fantasy begins.

This ballet is filled with gorgeous music by Peter Tchaikovsky, dancing - starring Liudmila Konovalova as Clara, and Vladimir Shishov as Drosselmeier and The Prince - and costumes.

Take this opportunity to see the Vienna State Ballet's stunning production of a holiday classic. Tickets are sold at the door only: $20/adults, $18//seniors and $16/members.

The Harbor Theatre is located at 185 Townsend Avenue in Boothbay Harbor, across from Hannaford.

For more information, call 207-633-0438 or visit www.harbortheatre.net.