Every Christmas it has become a tradition across North America that flowers will waltz, snowflakes will dance and mice will lose a battle against toy soldiers led by a nutcracker prince as ballet companies large and small perform Tchaikovsky's classic "The Nutcracker."
Over the years the familiar story has been adapted and changed to suit the whims of artistic directors. But audiences that watch Loudoun Ballet Company's performance, now in its 15th season, know they are seeing the original Russian ballet.