By Susan Canfora

Salisbury Independent

For the 24th year, the classic ballet The Nutcracker will be presented by Salisbury’s Eastern Shore Ballet Theater.

With well-loved music by composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and written in the late 19th Century, the production will be at Wicomico High School Dec. 6 and 7.

On Saturday, Dec. 6, it will be at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. On Sunday, Dec. 7, it will be at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $15 for adults and $10 for students and senior citizens. Children 3 and younger will be admitted free.

“It’s one of the oldest ballets in the arts. It’s a classic,” said Elena Manakhova-Amy, artistic director of Eastern Shore Ballet Theater.

“Everybody thinks it’s a Christmas story. In America it’s on Christmas Eve, but in Russia and many other countries in the world  it’s not about Christmas Eve. It’s a New Year’s party,” she explained.

“It’s for anybody who loves nice dancing. I have a professional dancer in it, and her partner. I trained the girl. Her partner is from Russia. They dance in New York now,” she said.

She was referring to Shelby Traum, who plays the Sugarplum Fairy, and Andrei Kisselev, who portrays The Prince. Alex Bojko has the part of The Snow Prince, as he has for the past 15 years.

“It’s a beautiful story and ballet. It’s just beautiful,” added Betty Webster, founder and president of the Eastern Shore Ballet and member of the board of directors.

She said about 1,800 people usually attend in two days.

Contact Susan Canfora at scanfora@newszap.com.