RACINE - The magic of the original story is still there in "The Story of the Nutcracker - A One-Act Ballet." It's the local production of the holiday classic being performed by The Studio of Classical Dance Arts.

"It's a shortened version of the traditional 'Nutcracker,' " studio co-owner Linda Bennett said of the production to be performed this weekend at the Park High School Theater, 1901 12th St. Bennett and her husband, Marc Darling, whose studio is located in Westgate Mall, adapted the story.

"It's an all-student production," Bennett said. "It's very family and kid friendly. We don't have the full cast of characters, but we do tell the story from beginning to end. We have everything from angels to Spanish chocolate to giant mice and a nutcracker prince."

The Nutcracker Ballet is based on the story "The Nutcracker and the King of Mice," written by E.T.A. Hoffman. It is the story of a young German girl who dreams of a Nutcracker Prince and a fierce battle against a Mouse King with seven heads.

Renowned choreographer Marius Petipa commissioned Peter Tchaikovsky in 1891 to compose the music for Alexandre Dumas' adaptation of Hoffman's story. Critics and the audience panned the first performance as a failure.

But since then, "The Nutcracker" is the most widely performed ballet in the world. In 1954, choreographer George Balanchine created a new production of The Nutcracker - it's the version with which most are familiar.

Bennett said this is the second year The Studio of Classical Dance Arts has performed the hour-long ballet. The production has a cast of 42 students ages 6-18, all of whom are from the Racine-Kenosha area, except for one student who hails from Cedarburg.

"It's nice the kids are able to perform locally for family and friends," Bennett said.

The production will be an annual event that will expand each year to include more elements of the traditional story, Bennett said.

"The cast expanded this year," Bennett said. "It's something we will do as long as we are a studio."

Learn more about The Studio of Classical Dance Arts at

http://www.classicaldancearts.com

If You Go:

What: "The Story of the Nutcracker: A One-Act Ballet" presented by The Studio of Classical Dance Arts.

When: Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

Where: Park High School Theatre, 1901 12th St.

Cost: $8 for adults and $5 for children age 12 and younger.

FYI: Tickets are available at The Studio, 4901 Washington Ave., during regular studio hours and at the theater the day of the performance. For more information, contact The Studio at (262) 633-4450 or online at

http://www.classicaldancearts.com