By Candice Cruz and Allyson Boyles

The Lexington Ballet will perform the Nutcracker, one of the most beloved ballets, starting Friday.

Most are familiar with the traditional ballet that debuted in 1892, as it has become an annual holiday treat for some. The ballet, based on the fairytale by E.T.A. Hoffman, has had variations throughout the years and has made the crossover from stage to screen with Disney’s Mickey Mouse stepping into the action.

You will not see the familiar mouse running around stage at the Lexington Ballet’s rendition of the famous play, however, audience members will be thrilled with the traditional score of Tchaikovsky, with a little more edge than before.

The Lexington Ballet is not the only company performing the ballet. The Bluegrass Youth Ballet will perform its abbreviated rendition at the Lyric Theatre Dec. 17 and 18.

Director Adalhi Aranda Corn said her dancers, ranging anywhere from 5 to 18 years old, have been preparing for their upcoming performance for close to one month. The group also welcomes students from Butler University in Indianapolis to fulfill the main roles of the sugar plum fairies and the cavaliers, which are often roles for more accomplished dancers, Corn said.

This will be the seventh year the Bluegrass Youth Ballet will host their performance of the Nutcracker.

“It will be held in the Lyric Theatre for the first year and we are very excited about it,” Corn said. “It holds 550 and every year we have sold out. We hope we can sell out again.”

The new location isn’t the only thing audiences can be excited about for next weekend’s debut.

“It is a performance that has the awe factor, it’s not something you will sit there for a long time,” Corn said. “Things are changing, the costumes are beautiful and the children are well-trained. And sometimes it’s exciting that young performers do such a wonderful job and can do roles that older performers typically do.”

The Lexington Ballet’s Nutcracker performance will be at 7:30 p.m. at the Lexington Opera House and runs from Dec. 10 to 12 and then again from Dec. 17 to 19. Door open at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays.

Adult tickets are $30, senior tickets are $25 and students are $20.

Door open for the Bluegrass Youth Ballet’s performance at 7 p.m. on Dec. 17 and at 3 and 7 p.m. on Dec. 18. Tickets are $12 for children and students, and $15 for adults.