The set-pieces and ensembles in "The Nutcracker Ballet" read like an exotic world itinerary: Waltz of the Snowflakes; Spanish Dance; Arabian Dance; Chinese Dance; Russian Dance; Tarantella; and Final Waltz.

Although Russian Peter Ilyitch Tchaikovsky composed this, his third and final ballet, one year before his death, it has far outlived him, captivating families around the world for 117 years.

When fellow Russian Marius Petipa, a choreographer, teamed with Tchaikovsky in 1890 to bring to life on the stage "The Nutcracker and the King of the Mice," a collection of children's fairy tales by an East Prussian, E.T.A. Hoffman, they couldn't have known their ballet would become a long-lasting hit and highlight of the winter holiday season.

FROM TOY SOLDIER TO PRINCE

The Imperial Russian Ballet gave the first Nutcracker performance Dec. 17, 1892, at the Maryinsky Theater in St. Petersburg, and the same story will unfold this Friday and Saturday, when the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra and dancers with the NAU Community Music and Dance Academy showcase the ballet on the stage at Ardrey Auditorium on campus.

Key to the imagery of "The Nutcracker" is a nutcracker in the shape of a toy soldier, who, transformed into a handsome prince, leads a battle against the malevolent Mouse King and his army of mice.

At the conclusion of the battle, the Prince accompanies Clara, the young protagonist of the tale, on a tour of his fairyland kingdom, replete with exotic entertainments and dancers representing the many pleasures of chocolate, coffee and tea, and candy.

LARGE CAST OF CHARACTERS

The cast in the ballet, representing a range of sizes, ages and maturity levels, has been rehearsing for weeks on the polished wood floor inside the dance studio in Building 92 on the campus of NAU.

In addition to practicing dance steps, dancers must make sure they have the proper shoes and costumes for their time on stage.

Under the direction of Andrew Needhammer, choreographer with the academy, they have alternated practicing in point shoes, dance slippers and black character shoes for the Russian dance

Some dancers travel a distance to study at the academy, which was established in 1980 and provides training and certification through the Royal Academy of Dance in London.

The NAU dance academy is now a branch of the NAU School of Music.

STAYING TRUE TO ORIGINAL

Dance companies through the years have struggled to know what the early productions were like.

Needhammer, who was born in New Jersey but danced with the National Ballet of Canada for seven years, said this production tries to stay as true as possible to the original as it has been passed down from generation to generation.

The conductor for the performance is Jon Eder, who has been part of the Flagstaff musical community since the mid-1970s.

Eder is in his 30th year of teaching music in Flagstaff, and his 15th year at Flagstaff High School as director of instrumental studies.

He has also been the principal clarinetist of the FSO since 1981.

During ticket sales, seats to the ever-popular Lollipop Concert matinee go first, with adults paying only $5, which includes five free tickets for children, assigned seats only.

Betsey Bruner can be reached at bbruner@azdailysun.com or 556-2255.

IF YOU GO…

WHAT: The Nutcracker Ballet,

Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra and the NAU Community Music and Dance Academy

WHEN: Dec. 4 and 5 at 7:30 p.m., and Dec. 5 at 2 p.m. (Lollipop Concert, Act 2 only, check to see if sold-out)

WHERE: Ardrey Auditorium, on the campus of NAU

TICKETS: Tickets are sold in person, by phone, or online through the Central Ticket Office in the NAU Student Union.

To order by phone: 523-5661 or toll free: (888) 520-7214