DANBURY — Readers are invited to enjoy the splendor of the holiday season by sharing in the magic of Danbury Music Centre’s Nutcracker, celebrating its 55th year as a holiday tradition in the community. Arthur Fredric and Lisa Denton are in their 25th year directing and choreographing this magical holiday performance, which is accompanied live by Danbury Symphony Orchestra conducted by Maestro Ariel Rudiakov. From the dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy to the wonderment of the snow ballet, this classical ballet continues to delight audiences of all ages, year after year.

This year, Newtown residents Grayce Amos and Eleanor Ready are taking the stage in leading roles of the Sugar Plum Fairy and Clara, respectively.

Grayce is a senior at The Wooster School and has been dancing in the DMC Nutcracker since age 5. A classically trained ballerina, she has danced throughout New England and has completed summer intensives in Italy. Grayce currently trains at Newtown Centre for Classical Ballet and Voice.

Eleanor is a ninth grade student at The Wooster School. This is her fifth year with the DMC Nutcracker. Eleanor studies ballet at Woodbury Ballet in the Pre-Professional program and has attended summer intensives at Ellison, SAB, Boston Ballet, and Gelsey Kirkland.

At least 30 Newtown residents are among this year’s cast of over 200 auditioned dancers, singers and full orchestra accompaniment including dancers Harper Brundage, Lillian Caico, Amy DeLoughy, Mark Deloughy Sr, Riley Deloughy, Allison Estes, Brooke Estes, Dody Flynn, Herb Flynn, Zoe Giordano, Sienna Guaragno, Kate Hugo, Kailyn Lahey, Deanna Landau, Steve Landau, Hanna Linden, Gabriel Locke, Zoe Shapiro, Fiona Shaw, Lila Spencer, Penelope Suchar, Ruth Tepper, Sadie Tepper, Molly Tinkler, and Paige Tinkler.

Local Danbury Symphony Orchestra members include Chris Locke, Donna Locke, and Sheila Doherty.

Along with performing, Dody Flynn serves as Associate Choreographer and Amy Deloughy is company manager. Both are residents of Sandy Hook.

This year’s show opens on Friday, December 9, at 7:30 pm, at Danbury High School, 43 Clapboard Ridge Road.

Performances continue Saturday and Sunday, December 10-11, at 3 pm.

Tickets range from $10 to $37, depending on the age of the ticket-holder and location within the theater. Visit DanburyMusicCentre.org to purchase in advance, which is strongly encouraged due to shows of past years selling out. Remaining tickets will be available prior to each show.