The L.A. Dance Theatre Inc., Pottsville, is ringing in the holidays in grand style this weekend with its annual holiday tradition, "The Nutcracker."
Celebrating its 22nd anniversary this year, the show opened at D.H.H. Lengel Auditorium, Pottsville, with a sold-out show Friday night and has three more shows left, two today and one Sunday.
The story tells of a Christmas party at which little Clara, daughter of the house, receives the gift of a nutcracker from her mysterious uncle. After the party, she falls asleep and dreams of snow castles, sugarplums and her nutcracker, which has turned into a handsome prince.
Before the show Friday night, Lois Ann Maley, producer and director, said that new this year to the show were candy canes, Raggedy Ann dolls and tap dancing soldiers.
There was also a new Clara this year, Brianna Ryan, 12, of Kulpmont.
Ryan, who has been performing most of her life, said she started with gymnastics when she was 2 years old.
"It was a lot of work because I had to go a lot of days a week and I only have three days off," she said. "I wasn't used to that."
For two of the stars of the show, this will be their last Christmas performing in "The Nutcracker."
Hannah Nabholz, Pottsville, who is the Snow Queen, and Molly Noon, who is the Sugar Plum Fairy.
Noon is sharing the role of Sugar Plum Fairy this year with Jacqui Pitts, Barnesville.
Nabholz, a senior at Pottsville Area High School, is the daughter of Chris and the late Wendy Nabholz, who was one of the artistic directors of the show.
She said that she has been dancing with the L.A. Dance Theatre since she was 2 years old.
"It's upsetting that this is our last," Nabholz said. "It was a lot of fun this year though."
Noon, a senior at North Schuylkill Junior-Senior High School, is the daughter of Karen Byrnes-Noon and David Noon.
She has been involved with the studio since she was 6 years old and this is her 10th Nutcracker.
"We have too many memories to share," Noon said.
Also reprising his role as the prince this year is Ryan Tuerk, Doylestown.
Tuerk, an old friend of Leandra Maley, instructor for the studio, has performed for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Carnival Cruise Lines and Celebrity Cruise Lines and for the Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet, Narberth.
He is currently a Master of Fine Arts candidate with an emphasis on choreography at Temple University.
The three shows remaining will be at 2 and 7 p.m. today and 2 p.m. Sunday.
Tickets are $14 for adults and $12 for senior citizens and children at the door.