Vashon Center for the Arts Center for Dance’s annual performance of “The Nutcracker” will open Friday and run through the weekend with a new version of the traditional ballet.

The Center for Dance’s new Artistic Director, Vadne Domeika, has a vision for the beloved show that includes revised choreography and new sets by islander and architect Robert Wright.

“We wanted the new sets to be breathtaking, while not distracting from the dancers — not upstaging, but enhancing the dancing,” Domeika said.

The ballet opens with the party scene, where Clara (played alternately by Ballet 4 dancers Gwen Burwell, Lila Kramer and Rowen McMillan) receives the nutcracker doll, and dances by the mechanical dolls (Ballet V/VI dancers) are featured. When Clara falls asleep with the nutcracker doll in her arms, she dreams of the Mouse Queen (Emma Rose DeSantis/Talia Roybal), who orders her mice minions (Ballet III) to steal the nutcracker and scare Clara with their comical antics. Toy soldiers (Ballet IV) battle the mice to defend Clara and the nutcracker. The mice are defeated when the nutcracker becomes a prince (played by Gus Holmes) and runs the Mouse Queen through with a sword.

After the battle, the Nutcracker Prince escorts Clara to his homeland, the Land of the Sweets. They pass through a gate guarded by Gatekeepers and Cherubs (Ballet I). An Angel (Marisa McTighe/Kelsey Morrison) lets the duo through the gate and into the Land of the Snow, where a ballet by guest choreographer Julie Gibson is performed, with over 35 Ballet IV, V &VI dancers.

When Clara and the Nutcracker Prince finally arrive at the Land of the Sweets, ambassadors from various countries greet them. The Chinese, Russian, Spanish and Arabian leaders all dance their individual styles. The Sugar Plum Fairy (played alternately by seniors Selah Bellscheidt and Juliana Wright) dances and then watches the Nutcracker Prince re-enact the battle scene with the mice. Other Land of the Sweets characters — The Cavalier, Mother Ginger and The Gingerettes — also appear. The final dance is the perennial favorite, the Waltz of the Flowers, choreographed by Christine Juarez, featuring The Dew Drop Fairy (Selah Bellscheidt/Juliana Wright), partnered by Duncan Barlow.

Although traditionally a ballet, “The Nutcracker” by VCA Center for Dance will include all types of dance: holiday-themed tap dances choreographed by Crissy Baker; a piece with Modern III dancers and the Russian dance with Modern V/VI dancers — both choreographed by Vanesa Wylie. The Spanish and Arabian dances were re-choreographed by Domeika, and the Chinese dance by Kathy Bonner. There is also new choreography for the overture, the dolls, a new pas de deux and finale.