By Liz Turner
Contributing Writer

Since 1965, The Boston Ballet’s Nutcracker has been an annual New England Holiday tradition. Principal dancers of the Boston Ballet and young children dance their hearts out to the music of Tchaikovsky. The Nutcracker, based on the original fairy tale by E.T.A Hoffman, tells the story of a young girl named Clara who is given a nutcracker as a Christmas gift on Christmas Eve, she soon falls asleep and starts dreaming about mice, soldiers, snowflakes and sugar plumb fairies.

The Nutcracker’s original production debuted December 18, 1892 in St. Petersburg Russia at the Maryinsky Theater. It is amazing to see that more than one hundred years later, the art and music of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker is still celebrated across the world today at Christmas time. The Boston Ballet orchestra employs more than 100 musicians and is the second largest musical institution in Boston.

This show is truly a magical experience, appropriate for all ages, don’t miss The Boston Ballet’s Nutcracker playing now till December 27, 2009 at the Boston Opera House, visit www.bostonballet.org for ticket sales, by phone 617-695-6955 or visit the Boston Opera House Box Office 539 Washington St Monday-Friday 10AM-5PM.