By JANICE RANDALL

Vashon Allied Arts

Blue Heron Dance Company will bring the Nutcracker Ballet to life again this year with a cast of more than 50 dancers ages 6 to 18.

Performances are slated for 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday, Dec. 5 and 6, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at the Vashon High School theater.

Audiences can expect some new holiday magic to be added to this year’s production.

For starters, Artistic Director Christine Juarez enlisted the talents of a professional magician from Seattle’s Market Magic Shop to give private lessons to Rob Misel, who plays Drosselmeyer, the fun-loving godfather who has tricks up his sleeve.

Juarez has also re-choreographed several dances, including the Arabian dance and the Spanish dance. She also choreographed a fantasy underwater scene, where sea creatures star in the dream sequence.

The ballet will also boast many new and reworked costumes by designer Kate Guinee.

This year’s Clara will be played by Mara Drape, and the Nutcracker will be played by Vashon High School junior Tucker Lazare.

“I’ve never really done dance before, but Christine is so gung-ho about everything,” said Lazare. “She has a vision and makes it all easy for us. There are a lot of guys my age who say they would never be in a ballet, but that doesn’t bother me a bit. I love it.”

Juarez became animated when talking about the ballet.

“For me, it’s a holiday tradition,” she said. “I never tire of it.”

Tickets are available at The Blue Heron, Heron’s Nest, Books by the Way and Thriftway, and cost $10 for VAA members, seniors, students and $13 general admission.

For more information visit www.vashonalliedarts.org or pick up a copy of Island View.