Performance dates and times:

• Friday, Dec. 11 at 7:30 p.m.

• Saturday, Dec. 12 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

• Sunday, Dec. 13 at 2 p.m.

School matinees will take place Dec. 9-10 at 9:45 a.m. each day. Doors open at 9 a.m.

Individual tickets are $5, $20, $35, $50 and $70.  Group rates are available through Ballet Memphis.

In addition to the stage performances, Ballet Memphis and The Peabody Hotel will be presenting the Nutcracker Children's Tea Party on Saturday, Dec. 5 and Sunday, Dec. 6, from 1-3 p.m.  There will be a performance by Ballet Memphis' Nutcracker cast. Tickets are $35 each and include tax, gratuity, parking and a $10 donation to Ballet Memphis' educational programs.  For reservations call 901/529-4188.

This updated holiday classic features performers from Ballet Memphis, the Ballet Memphis Junior Company and the Ballet Memphis School.  

NUTCRACKER is choreographed by Janet Parke (director of the Ballet Memphis School), Karl Condon (associate artistic director of Ballet Memphis) and Joseph Jefferies (a former Ballet Memphis dancer, now with Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo).  Music is by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky and Eugene Onegin.

“The beauty and magic of the ‘Nutcracker’ is in just that: its magic and beauty are timeless and appeal to all ages,” said Dorothy Gunther Pugh, founder and artistic director of Ballet Memphis. “It’s a show about celebration, about different cultures, and about the blessings of family.”

This year’s staging introduces some new characters to the lineup famous for Snowflakes, Sugar Plum and Dew Drop Fairies, Mother Ginger and sword-fighting mice.

Principal casting includes (but is subject to change):

• CLARA:  Stephanie Mei Hom and Hideko Karasawa

• NUTCRACKER: Scott Spivey and Kendall Britt

• HERR DROSSELMEIER: Steven McMahon and Travis Bradley

• SUGAR PLUM FAIRY: Crystal Brothers and Julie Niekrasz

• CAVALIER: Jonathan Powell and Rafael Ferreras

• DEW DROP FAIRY: Julie Niekrasz and Jane Hope Rehm

The year 2009 marks the 21st year that Ballet Memphis has performed a version of “The Nutcracker.”

Tickets are available by calling Ballet Memphis at 901/737-7322 or visiting the online box office at www.balletmemphis.org.  Tickets also may be purchased through the Orpheum Theatre at 901/525-3000 or www.orpheum-memphis.com and its outlets.