Gingerbread soldiers and sugarplum fairies fill Clara’s dreams in The Nutcracker Suite, where she is surrounded by dancing snowflakes and a handsome prince.

Student dancers with Newtown Centre of Classical Ballet (NCCB) have been in rehearsals recently, preparing to take the stage at Edmond Town Hall on Sunday, December 6. Newtown’s 30th Annual Holiday Festival on Sunday will include two performances — at noon and 2 pm —  of the holiday classic.

The Nutcracker “is definitely one of my favorites,” said NCCB Director Tory Gozzi. “As a ballet teacher, you’re in trouble if you don’t love The Nutcracker.”

Referring to the story of a young girl’s dream about her uncle’s gifts of dolls and toys that come to life, Ms Gozzi said, “It’s got all the magical elements that a ballet should have and a mystical quality to it.” She enjoyed casting her host of ballerinas this year, which began in August, many of them younger girls.

Ms Gozzi had to consider the girls and their ages, she said.

“Choreography changes based on ages and experience levels,” she said. Each year she tries to “do fun new thigs and keep some tradition as a holiday keepsake.”

After casting bagan in late summer, the ballet company began working on this year’s performance.

“We have added many 3- through 6-year olds as angels,” Ms Gozzi said. She has also cast a baby angel. This year will offer a “whole studio effort with many younger dancers participating,” she said.

The performances are included in the Holiday Festival ticket, which is $12 for individuals and $25 for families (two adults and two children). Each additional child is $5. (See sidebar for a full listing of everything included in this year’s Holiday Festival.)

For those who wish to just take in one of the Nutcracker performances, tickets are available for $8 each, and will be sold at the Edmond Town Hall box office on Sunday afternoon.

Brief preview performances will take place on Saturday, December 5. NCCB students are part of the entertainment line-up for this year’s Rotary Club Pancake Breakfast, also taking place at Edmond Town Hall (in the Alexandria Room). NCCB is scheduled to be on that smaller stage, on the former town hall’s third floor, at 8:30, 9 and 9:45 am during the breakfast event. (See the December 6 Community Calendar listings for complete Pancake Breakfast details.)