PORTLAND – “Nutcracker Burlesque 2005,” a twist on the classical tale, will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, Dec. 19 to 22, and at 6 and 8:30 p.m. Friday Dec. 23, in The St. Lawrence Arts & Community Center, 76 Congress St.

This is the third year the “Nutcracker Burlesque” has been presented. This year, it has new choreography, new music and new dancers.

Once more, an adult Clara finds herself at the company party with boyfriend Hans and his wandering eyes.

The roguish Drosselmeyer crashes the party, adds his magic touch to liven up the scene and then leads Clara on a thrilling journey through his land of sugarplum sweets. Clara and Drosselmeyer spend the second half of the show watching belly dancers shake and streetwalkers strut their stuff. It ends in a Vegas style nightclub.

The ensemble, with members from audioblacK and Tree Squid, plays more original music this year, as well as some new versions of classic songs by Tchaikovsky and others.

Brigitte Paulus is artistic director-choreographer; MJ Emerson is choreographer. Cory Bucknam of Naya’s Trance Belly Dance transforms a scene into a glitzy cabaret .

Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for students and seniors. No children, please, organizers said. Tickets are available at www.nutcrackerburlesque-.com and at Books Etc., 38 Exchange St. Reservations are not accepted.