ARLINGTON, TEXAS - Metropolitan Classical Ballet will present its ninth season of The Nutcracker on the weekend of December 16th, 17th and 18th. Alexander Vetrov's beloved holiday production, inspired by the Bolshoi, offers the perfect elements for family entertainment: magnificent dancing, the gorgeous musical score by Peter Ilych Tchaikovsky, lavish costumes created by a costumer in Russia, and breathtaking scenery designed in part by Mr. Vetrov.

Four performances will be held at Texas Hall on the campus of the University of Texas in Arlington on Friday, December 16th at 8:00 p.m., Saturday, December 17th at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 18th at 2:00 p.m. All performances will be set to the musical accompaniment of the Metropolitan Classical Ballet Orchestra under the direction of music director, Ron Spigelman.

Metropolitan Classical Ballet dancers will be joined by a children's cast comprised of students from Metropolitan Ballet Academy, the official school of Metropolitan Classical Ballet. Children's roles range from mischievous mice and adorable angels for younger students to more challenging roles for the advanced students.

The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, written by E.T.A. Hoffmann in 1816, provided the basis for Peter Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker ballet, which debuted on December 17, 1892 in St. Petersburg, Russia. It quickly established itself as one of the most famous ballets in history and has since become a staple of the holiday season in America.

Mr. Vetrov's version of The Nutcracker is filled with all the magic and drama of the timeless Nutcracker story yet his libretto is fresh and unique. New characters are introduced, such as a whimsical wind-up nutcracker toy.

Metropolitan Classical Ballet's (then Ballet Arlington) first appearance of The Nutcracker production was held in both Kerrville and Ft. Worth, Texas in 1997. The company has since achieved phenomenal success in gaining recognition as a highly acclaimed professional company.

Tickets for The Nutcracker are $10, $20 and $30, and are available only through Metropolitan Classical Ballet. Tickets may be purchased by calling (817) 275-0598 or (817) 465-4644 or online at www.mcballet.org. Tickets may also be purchased at the administrative office at 500 W. Abram Street in Arlington, Texas. For information about group discounts, please call (817) 465-4644. Season sponsors include American Airlines, WRR Classical 101, and the law firm of Hill Gilstrap.

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Media Note: Further information and photos may be obtained by contacting Judy Puder at (817) 465-4644.

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