Pasadena Dance Theatre’s production of “The Nutcracker Ballet” returns to the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse this holiday season with guest artists from American Ballet Theatre, a cast of over 50 local dancers and children, including Jimyn Ewing, Flora Zhou and Cora Dziurgo from La Crescenta and Calla Sim, Julia Burroughs, Alex Olson, Kate (Kathleen) Andersen, Amy Sauer and Ariadne Duan from La Cañada, and new choreography by Jessamyn Vedro.

Set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, this year’s production features guest artists Katherine Williams and Eric Tamm from American Ballet Theatre, and choreography by Jessamyn Vedro who has re-imagined the classic ballet for a modern audience. While Vedro’s vision draws inspiration from E.T.A. Hoffman’s classic story it focuses the ballet on the central character of Clara as she navigates the challenges of adolescence, embarking on a journey of self-discovery.

In this new interpretation of the classic story, Clara travels the world in her dreams, experiencing the festive dances of countries from China to France, from Ukraine to Egypt, from Scotland to Spain. This year’s production will have unexpected twists and exciting reinventions of classic roles, developing themes of empowerment and collaboration, in a celebration of global diversity.

Featuring a cast of over 50 dancers, the ballet will be as grand and moving as but with a fresh look at the holiday tradition that has enraptured generations.

“The Nutcracker Ballet” returns to the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse, an historic venue that adds to the magic and beauty of this holiday experience. There will be four performances: Dec. 22 at 2 p.m.; Dec. 23 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. that includes a special pre-show gala, and the grand finale on Dec. 24 at 1 p.m.

San Gabriel Mission Playhouse, 320 S. Mission Dr. in San Gabriel.

For tickets, visit pasadenadance.simpletix.com or call (626) 683-3459.