The L.A. Dance Theatre Inc., Saint Clair, will again ring in the Christmas season starting Friday with its 21st production of "The Nutcracker" at D.H.H. Lengel Auditorium, Pottsville.
Lois Ann Maley, producer and director, said that as always, there will be four shows.
The curtain goes up opening night at 7 p.m. Friday, while there will also be performances at 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.
"We again, as usual, have changed everything about it," Maley said. "We have a lot of new things this year, especially in our second act."
Maley said the show will still have a peacock, which was "a big hit last year," added when the company was celebrating its 20th anniversary. Along with the peacock, a monarch butterfly will grace the performance and the battle scene has changed.
There is a new Clara this year as well, Marielle Pzywara, 13, of Pottsville.
Pzywara said it's her fifth time performing in "The Nutcracker" but her first time playing the role of Clara.
"It was very exciting getting the part," Pzywara said. "I can't remember a Christmas without The Nutcracker because my sister has always been in it, so it definitely makes the holiday a holiday. It's my sister Annelise's last 'Nutcracker,' so it makes it extra special."
Meanwhile, Maley said the nutcracker prince will be portrayed again by Ryan Tuerk, Doylestown.
Tuerk, an old friend of Leandra Maley, instructor for the studio, has performed for the Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Carnival Cruise Lines and Celebrity Cruise Lines and for the Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet, Narberth.
There will also be four snow princesses that will split the role over the multiple performances.
"It gives more children an opportunity to perform in the show by having a red cast and green cast," Lois Ann Maley said. "That's why there are four shows."
While Maley said that Friday night's performance is nearly sold out, there are still some tickets available and there are plenty of tickets for the three other shows.
Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for senior citizens and children in advance or are $14 for adults and $12 for senior citizens and children at the door.
For tickets, call the studio at 570-429-1440, Heaven and Earth Salon in Pottsville or Flowers For Me, Minersville.
