One of Columbus’ most cherished holiday traditions since 1974 – BalletMet’s The Nutcracker – will return to the historic Ohio Theatre from Dec. 7 to 23 this season. The production will have 20 performances, including two My First Nutcracker iterations, and feature more than 180 Academy students and trainees alongside the professional company and BalletMet 2.

“The Nutcracker has become an expectation in our community every holiday season, and we cannot wait to bring it back again this year,” said BalletMet Artistic Director Edwaard Liang. “Many of our dancers have performed The Nutcracker hundreds of times, but the magic of this ballet is still palpable year after year. It’s an honor to share this production with Columbus yet again.”

In addition to the standard performances, BalletMet will offer two shortened performances of the production, My First Nutcracker, on Dec. 20 and 21 at 11 a.m. The performance is designed for the youngest fans and any child who may prefer a shorter, less crowded, and more casual environment. The performance is one hour in length with reduced noises, friendly character introductions, and calming areas.