It’s a typical Christmas Eve at the Stahlbaum home with friends, gifts and merriment until Herr Drosselmeyer sweeps in and livens up the party. He brings along his life-size dancing dolls, gifts for the children and – most importantly – a Nutcracker toy for Clara.

Summer Hamille’s Theatre of Ballet Arts dancers pull us into Clara’s dream world where rats battle soldiers, children transform into royalty, and fairies dance as snowflakes fall to the ground. More than 100 performers and 50 crew members from across Southwest Wisconsin bring Clara’s fantasy world to life on Mineral Point‘s beautiful Opera House stage.

Showtimes are Dec. 7-9 and Dec. 14-16 at the Mineral Point Opera House. Friday’s performances are at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday’s are at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday’s are at 3 p.m. Reserved seats on the main floor are $12, general admission for balcony seats is $10. Buy tickets at Berget Jewelers in Mineral Point or online at brownpapertickets.com. If available, tickets will be for sale at the Opera House box office.