The Viktor Yeliohin International Ballet Academy in Lancaster city will present its 29th annual performance of "The Nutcracker" on Friday, Dec. 2, at 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 3, at 1 and 6 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 4, at 2:30 p.m. The performances will take place at the High Performing Arts Center at Lancaster Mennonite School, 2176 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster. A portion of the proceeds will be designated to help Ukrainian dancers who have been affected by the war.

The story for the ballet was adapted from the book "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King" written by E.T.A. Hoffman in 1816. Pyotr Tchaikovsky composed the score for the ballet, and the first performance took place in 1892.

This upcoming performances will showcase new choreography and professional international ballerinas. Eighty-three local dancers ages 4 to 18 from more than 10 Lancaster County dance schools are part of this year's cast. Rehearsals began in mid-August, and the students will perform alongside professional dancers from Lancaster, New York, Ukraine and Japan.

The show's artistic director, Viktor Yeliohin, is assisted by Alexandra Bube, a senior at Manheim Township High School. She is one of two dancers playing the part of Clara in the shows, and she choreographed a large portion of Act II.

The theater has wheelchair-accessible seating.

A range of ticket prices is available, with discounts for seniors, veterans, and students who choose seats on the main floor. Tickets may be purchased at the door, or readers may purchase reserved seating tickets in advance by calling 610-914-3663 or visiting http://www.vyballet.com/performances/nutcracker. Ticketing questions may be sent to vyibanutcrackertickets@gmail.com.