DANBURY — The public is invited to enjoy the splendor of the holiday season by sharing in the magic of Danbury Music Centre’s Nutcracker Ballet. More than 200 performers representing Danbury and many of the surrounding towns, with live music performed by Danbury Symphony Orchestra, will bring the holiday tradition to life through four performances scheduled for December 7-9.

Once again, many Newtown and Sandy Hook performers are featured in lead roles in the production. Newtown High School Seniors Fallyn Kirlin and Brianna Linden will play the roles of Clara and Dew Drop Fairy. Bridget Suchar, a homeschooled sophomore, will portray the Sugar Plum Fairy, and NHS sophomore Taegan Smith will be this year’s Arabian Queen.

Brianna Linden counts Dew Drop Fairy as her favorite role so far.

“I’m excited to perform such a role in my senior year before I say goodbye to a production which I have grown up in,” she said.

Fallyn Kirlin has been a cast member for four years.

“Portraying Clara has reminded me of my younger self, not just as a dancer, but as a kid ecstatic for Christmas, revealing a side of the ballet that I had forgotten,” she said.

Bridget Suchar is thrilled to be dancing in the role of Sugar Plum Fairy, an iconic role for any ballet dancer, saying, “It’s really such a magical experience, dancing on stage with a live orchestra, and it’s so satisfying watching all of the hard work.”

All agree that achieving a lead role requires work and provides a great learning opportunity, with Miss Kirlin adding that “dance is not an easy passion to have because it will continually provide physical, mental, and emotional challenges but also a feeling of undeniable joy.”

Miss Linden shared that the experience has “given the ability to expand my horizons in the dance world. I have learned an abundance of important, different aspects of production.”

Miss Suchar’s advice to aspiring young dancers is to “Always continue to push yourself and work hard no matter what happens. If you’re truly passionate about something and you focus that passion into your work, then nothing can stop you from achieving your dream.”

Other Newtown and Sandy Hook performers include Lillian Caico (Esperanta/Rockette), Amy DeLoughy (Party Adult), Mark DeLoughy, Jr, (Spanish Prince/Russian Captain), Mark DeLoughy, Sr, (Party Adult), Riley DeLoughy (Party Boy/Sergeant Soldier/Russian Captain), Annie Fowler (Snow Court II/Flower Pink en Pointe), Chelsea Fowler (Snow Court II/Marzipan Understudy), Kate Hugo (Russian), Briana Lederman (Orchestra — Violin), Hanna Linden (Party Girl), Chris Locke (Orchestra — Celeste), Donna Locke (Orchestra — Oboe), Gabe Locke (Mouse King), Eleanor Raedy (Snowflake/Russian), Kylee Raiano (Marzipan Shepherdess), Lila Spencer (Russian Gymnast), Penelope Suchar (Snow Court III/Russian Captain), and Molly Tinkler (Russian).

Dance Dimensions in Brookfield, owned by Herb and Dody Flynn of Sandy Hook, has graciously donated rehearsal space to the production. Dody Flynn also serves as Associate Choreographer, and Amy DeLoughy appears both on stage and behind the scenes as company manager and head production stage manager.

Performances are scheduled for Friday, December 7, at 7:30 pm; Saturday, December 8, at 2:30 and 7 pm; and Sunday, December 9, at 3 pm.

All performances will be in the auditorium of Danbury High School, 43 Clapboard Ridge Road in Danbury.

Tickets are $10-$35 and can be purchased at danburymusiccentre.org or at the door.