The Mid-Ohio Valley Ballet Co. will begin its 2009-10 season with its annual performance of "The Nutcracker" on Friday, Dec. 11, at Marietta High School followed by a Sunday, Dec. 13, matinee at Ravenswood High School.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for children.

The Christmas classic will entertain adults and children alike. The joy of Christmas is never more evident than in "The Nutcracker," said MOVB spokesman Suzy Gunter. The MOVB has toured extensively throughout a four-state area since 1981 presenting "The Nutcracker" to audiences of over 500,000, including thousands of public school children in West Virginia and Ohio.

The classic full-length version of the ballet was first presented in St. Petersburg, Russia, in 1892. Original music composed exclusively for the ballet was written by P.I. Tchaikovsky and original choreography was set by M. Petipa and L. Ivanov.

Based on the book by E.T.A. Hoffman, the ballet follows the dreams of a little girl named Clara. At the family Christmas party, her godfather Drosselmeyer presents her with a mysterious gift of a Nutcracker and her jealous little brother Fritz soon breaks it. As the guests depart, Clara comes quietly back into the living room to see her new toy and falls asleep there. Her dreams take her through a battle between the Mouse King and the Nutcracker, a visit to the Land of Sweets and to the snow kingdom, Gunter said.

Gunter will dance the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy and guest artist Jason Tanner will perform as the Cavalier. Company members and apprentices Emily Tharp, Kitri Held, Bethany Lopreste, Sarah Harker, Elisabeth Offenberger and Hannah Smith will perform in various roles.

Apprentice member Belle Huffman will make her debut this year as Clara. Additional apprentice and trainee members include Leah Baker, Cheyenne Lemasters, Emily Morris, Cadi Buskirk, Casey Harker, Maria Petrella, Megan Martin and Kristen Robinson.

During the winter, the company will present its acclaimed "School Days Performing Arts Series," which tours throughout West Virginia and Ohio with programs for school children.

The spring 2010 performance will feature a new and original ballet and dance version of the "Wizard of Oz" on April 30 at the Marietta High School auditorium.

The company, celebrating its 29th year, has provided a training ground for hundreds of aspiring professional dancers and actors.

Alumni have danced in the Cleveland Ballet, the State Ballet of Missouri, the Cincinnati Ballet, American Repertory Ballet and Pittsburgh Ballet. They have appeared in Broadway productions of "Grease," "Moon Over Buffalo" and "Copacabana."