Mobile Ballet is set to bring holiday wonder to downtown Mobile for all ages, presenting the beloved tradition of "The Nutcracker" at the historic Saenger Theatre for the first time.

The show has been performed at the Civic Center Theater every year since Mobile Ballet began in 1987, according to Amanda Napper, manager of development and communications for Mobile Ballet.

Artistic Director Katia Garza creates a breathtaking production of the classic "Nutcracker," elevating the artistry of this holiday favorite for all ages, a press release from the organization states. Generations of dancers and audience members have been involved in this production. Some families have attended for more than 30 years.

The full cast can run up to 200 dancers in total, Napper said, including guest artists from professional companies, dancers who are part of the auditioned Mobile Ballet Company, Mobile Ballet students as young as age 6 and community members. Mobile Ballet Company dancers are middle school to high school age students who train year-round at the company's studios in Mobile and Daphne.

Guest artists will join the Mobile Ballet Company and students, bringing to life the fantastical world of dancing sugar plums, battling toy soldiers, the heroic nutcracker prince and the menacing mouse king. Guests include Dayesi Torriente and Arian Molina Soca of Philadelphia Ballet, Aidan Carrasquel of Ballet San Antonio, Daniel Benavides formerly of Orlando Ballet and Elias Re of Dance Theatre of Harlem.

Performances:

Saturday, Dec. 21 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 22 at 2 p.m.

Mobile Ballet presents special performances for K-12 student field trips through its Discover Dance program, where thousands of students each year get the opportunity to experience a fully staged ballet production. This year's Discover Dance performance of "The Nutcracker" will be on Friday, Dec. 20, at 9:30 a.m.

Venue: Saenger Theatre, 6 S. Joachim St., Mobile

Ticket prices for "The Nutcracker" range from $25 to $69, with discounts available for children, students, seniors and military. Group rates available for parties of 10 or more.

A mini-season ticket package is also available, offering savings on seats for both "The Nutcracker" and the upcoming "Princess and the Frog" production, which will be performed at the Saenger on March 29-30.

SPECIAL EVENT: NUTCRACKER HOLIDAY BRUNCH AT DAUPHIN'S

Mobile Ballet will hold its second-annual Nutcracker Holiday Brunch on Saturday, Dec. 21. While the event sold out quickly, the event is a fundraiser supporting Mobile Ballet's Relevé Project, a tuition assistance program that provides scholarships and dance training opportunities for students of all ages.

Those who are unable to attend the event but would like to donate to the Relevé Project may do so at www.mobileballet.org/support.