A cherished holiday tradition, George Balanchine's The Nutcracker returns to delight audiences of all ages. Set to Tchaikovsky's iconic score, this classic ballet follows Marie as she receives a magical nutcracker doll on Christmas Eve. After a midnight battle between toy soldiers and the Mouse King, Marie is swept away on a wondrous journey to the Land of Sweets, where she meets the Sugarplum Fairy and an array of captivating characters from around the world. Beautiful costumes, striking scenery, and Balanchine's celebrated choreography bring the story to life. Select Birmingham performances will once again feature live music by the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. Alabama Ballet is proud to be one of only nine companies in the world licensed by the Balanchine Trust to perform this production. From the swirling Snowflakes to the brilliance of the Land of Sweets, every moment sparkles with holiday magic. If you have celebrated your 2nd birthday, you must have a ticket.