fp Turks and Caicos

As many as 70 local children and adults have been feverishly rehearsing their roles since August, and now with costumes sewn, sets painted, and the international artists here, TCFAF is ready to pull the whole production together.

Relive the timeless and enchanting story of Marie and her Nutcracker Prince, who battle the Mouse Queen and her legions, where the Christmas toys come alive, and Marie and her prince journey into the Snow Forest and the Land of the Sweets — all set to the most beautiful music by Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. It originally debuted in 1892.

See local dancers side by side with professional dancers from the U.S. including celebrity actor and dancer, George de la Peña, who will play Uncle Drosselmeyer. Peña has invited Jennifer Pray and Steven Gray to dance the delectable roles of Sugar Plum and her Cavalier.

Pages to Pirouettes, a not-for-profit Pennsylvania-based dance company, has set an abridged story to life, incorporating local dancers and bringing in their principal dancers: Susan Cade as Mrs. Stahlbaum and Arabian Princess, Laura McGinty as Marie, Rachel Condello as the Mouse Queen and Marzipan, and Ruben Ybarra as the Nutcracker Prince. Actor Scott Cannon will be the storyteller.

Spectacular sets and props will frame the classic performance as designed by David Klinko, masterfully constructed by Mike St. Louis, and painted by local artists Klinko, Lucie Winton Stubbs, Emma Halliday, Alex Skye and Leslie Williams.

Tickets are on sale at the Saltmills Diner and Unicorn Bookstore at $20 for adults; $5 for youth (18 and under); $35 for balcony in the evenings Thursday, Friday and Saturday starting at 7 p.m. sharp. The 2 p.m. Sunday show is $15 for adults.