PORTLAND — Maine State Ballet will ring in the season with performances of “The Nutcracker,” beginning Thanksgiving weekend at Merrill Auditorium. This seasonal favorite tells the traditional story of Clara and the Nutcracker Prince as they journey through a snow-covered forest and into the Palace of the Sweets, where they are greeted by the Sugar Plum Fairy and her spectacular court.

Tchaikovsky’s popular score will be brought to life again this year by the Maine State Ballet Orchestra and the voices of two singing groups during the snow scene, the Musica de Filia Girlchoir and the Wescustago Youth Chorale.

Among those dancing will be Sara Spellman of Auburn; Madison Perkins of Bridgton; Bridget Horan, Erin Rutherford, Mark Thrall and Alesa Yuodsnukis of Brunswick; Sarah Douglas, Breanna Jenkins, Clare Kramer, Miranda Murphy and Madison Perkins of Harrison; Paige D’Amboise of Lisbon; Stephanie Paradis of Litchfield; Zoe Ward of Lovell; Errol Kurtz, Grace Kurtz and Patrick Murphy of Naples; Ann Marie Connolly of New Gloucester; Olivia Smith of Pownal; Sydney Olberding of Turner; and Elise Dekutoski, Hannah Leonard, Nikki Moore Jasmine Rondeau of Waterford.

Performances are at 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28; at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29; at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4; at 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5; and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6.

Tickets range from $15 to $45. Call 842-0800 or visit www.porttix.com. For more information, call 781-7672 or visit www.mainestateballet.org.