When Christmas time rolls around, who doesn’t think about sugar plum fairies and toy soldiers? This holiday season, the Community Arts Center, in a collaboration with Lycoming College and the Saint John’s School of the Arts (Dance Ensemble), will showcase a performance of “The Nutcracker Ballet” 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2 and 4 p.m. Dec. 3.

The ballet in its current form was adapted from the story “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” written by ETA Hoffman who adapted his story from Alexandre Dumas’ story “The Nutcracker.” Although the original production, which premiered at the Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg on Sunday, Dec. 18, 1892, was not a success, the twenty-minute suite that Tchaikovsky extracted from the ballet was. Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky, who composed the music for the play, is probably best known for his “1812 Overture.” But his music for “The Nutcracker Ballet” has continued to enthrall audiences the world over every holiday season.

The play has enjoyed enormous popularity since the late 1960s and is now performed by countless ballet companies, primarily during the Christmas season. The ballet is a fantastical story of a young girl who dreams of a Nutcracker Prince and fierce battle against a Mouse King with seven heads.

Even though the CAC has been the location for the performances for decades, and the Williamsport community has enjoyed the play for over 50 years in some capacity, the partnership between these three community businesses endeavors to bring an exciting new aspect to the show with completely new props and sets.

Sharon Mack of the Community Arts Center said, “We just wanted to make sure that we continue to do whatever we can in the very best way that we can to keep this holiday tradition for the families of Williamsport and Lycoming County.” Mack went on to say, “The new element this year of live orchestra will make this production truly memorable. It often serves as the event that ignites a true passion for dance, music and theater for so many.”

Dr. William Ciabattari, of Lycoming College, is the conductor of the orchestra which is made up of faculty, local professionals, and student musicians.

Theresa Kendall, dance instructor for Saint John’s School of the Arts said, “I have collaborated with Dr. William Ciabattari and the Lycoming College Wind Ensemble for several projects over the last four years.

Dr. Ciabattari has a love for this community and he continuously strives to bring artists together so that the combination of their talents is much greater than each as individuals.” Kendall credits Dr. Ciabattari with having the vision of “The Nutcracker” being performed this time with a live orchestra.

The collaboration between Lycoming College, Saint John’s School of the Arts and the Community Arts Center means a blending of over 100 dancers, musicians and crew members of all ages. The production will include familiar favorites like the Mechanical Dolls and Mother Ginger but with a new whimsical presentation.

Emily Wertz, artistic director of the Williamsport Youth Choir whose members will perform in “The Waltz of the Snowflakes,” said, “The Nutcracker provides a beautiful and enriching opportunity for collaboration across artistic mediums.” The Williamsport Youth Choir program is made up of young singers in grades 5-9. Wertz went on to say, “Participation in the choir enables students to grow artistically as individuals and corporately within an ensemble of highly motivated young singers from across the region. I’m personally excited for the students to have exposure to such a well-known masterpiece.”

Indeed, it seems that this year’s production of “The Nutcracker Ballet” will truly be a community endeavor, blending together old and new aspects and promising to be a holiday tradition that will be both enjoyable and memorable for people of all ages.

For more information, call the Community Arts Center at 570-326-2424 or visit www.caclive.com.