Moore OnStage will premiere the holiday class "The Nutcracker Friday, Nov. 26, through Sunday, Nov. 28, at Robert E. Lee Auditorium, in Southern Pines.

This interactive "Nutcracker" invites each audience member to attend the elegant holiday party at the home of the Silverhaus family. Characters depicting family, friends and guests, dressed in their holiday finest, greet the audience arrivals.

Ambassadors and their families don traditional period formal attire of their respective countries.

The magic then begins onstage as the last of the characters arrive, bestowing well-wishes on the audience and gifts to their hosts.

After the excitement of the evening begins to take its toll, fatigue settles in, and Clara's magical dream in the Land of the Sweets begins to unfold.

"Changing >with >each >scene >of the dream is a fantastic and unequaled 'Nutcracker' set produced by world-renowned designer Howard Jones," says Cinny Beggs, of Moore OnStage.

Choreography is by Gary Taylor, artistic director of Moore OnStage. Craig Mowery provides lighting design and Eric Tysinger is the production manager.

A special "Land of the Sweets" morning tea will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 27, at the Carolina Hotel.

Clara and her family will be hosting the tea, and families will have an opportunity to meet the Sugar Plum Fairy, her Cavalier, the Snow King and Queen, the infamous Mouse King and Clara's Godfather Drosselmyer, along with the Nutcracker Prince and other characters from Clara's dream.

There will be opportunities for autographs and photos with the costumed characters. Prizes and themed giveaways add to the festivities.

Tickets for the tea, which are $30, include the 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 27, matinee.

"Educators are encouraged to contact Moore OnStage in regard to the student school day performances, offered at drastically reduced ticket prices," says Beggs. Those performance dates are Nov. 22-23.

Additional information is available by calling (910) 692-7118.

Performances >are >Friday and Saturday evening, Nov. 26-27, at 7:30 p.m., with matinees at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 27, and Sunday, Nov. 28. >

Tickets >are >$22 >for >adults, > $15 >for >students >and >children ages 18 and younger. Saturday matinee tickets are $12 for everyone.

Tickets for all events may be purchased by calling the ticket line at (910) 692-7118 or visiting www.mooreonstage.com. All seating is reserved.