PORTLAND — Maine State Ballet’s holiday favorite, “The Nutcracker,” comes to Merrill Auditorium again this year, featuring the live music of the Maine State Ballet Orchestra and some of the most talented young dancers in the show’s history.

Nearly 300 dancers, including 12 from Brunswick and several others from the Mid-coast region, will take the stage over the course of seven performances, from Saturday, Nov. 24, through Sunday, Dec. 2.

Dancers from Brunswick are Evey Despres-Bowman, Amelia Donsbach, Sadie Higgins, Olivia Inosencio, Rowen Joyce, Liam Joyce, Sally Minton, Aniella Salko, Lily Tiffany, Nina Tiffany, Ron Trell and Semma Twining. Dancers from Harpswell are Lucy Nelson and Amelia Slocum. Dancers from Georgetown are Althea Rogenes and Freyja Rogenes. Margaret Dwinal is from Topsham and Samantha Melquist is from Bath.

Principal dancers and real-life husband and wife, Glenn and Janet Davis, reprise their roles as the Nutcracker Prince and the Sugar Plum Fairy. Kate Bennett also reprises her role as Sugar Plum Fairy, splitting time with Janet Davis. Two gifted teenagers, Shannon Dunbar of Portland and Adrienne Pelletier of Raymond, alternate performances in the role of Clara, while Scarborough High School junior Maiki Saito flies high as the Russian Cossack.

Under the direction of artistic director and former New York City Ballet member Linda MacArthur Miele, “The Nutcracker” showcases classic choreography, richly colored sets and costumes, and the timeless music of Tchaikovsky. The show, which always opens on the weekend following Thanksgiving, has become a beloved tradition for families.

Performances of Maine State Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” will be held Saturday, Nov. 24, at 2 and 7 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 25, at 2 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 30 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 1, at 2 and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 2, at 2 p.m.

Tickets are on sale through Porttix at 842-0800, online at www.porttix. com, or at the Merrill Auditorium box office, open noon to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Tickets are $15 to $55, and discounts are available for groups, seniors and children.

For more information, call 781- 7672 or visit www.mainestateballet.org.

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