FALMOUTH — Maine State Ballet rings in the season with record breaking participation from local artists in its holiday classic, “The Nutcracker,” beginning Thanksgiving weekend at Merrill Auditorium in Portland. This seasonal favorite not only presents the magical story of Clara and the Nutcracker Prince but brings together hundred of dancers, singers and musicians from all over the state.

Over the course of the seven Nutcracker shows, 270 dancers from Maine State Ballet and other dance schools will perform onstage under the direction of Artistic Director Linda MacArthur Miele. The Nutcracker dancers range in age from preschool to advanced adult and live in southern Maine, coming from 36 different towns from Arundel, north to Norway and west to Lovell.

Two singing groups join the production during the snow scene at the end of the first act. The Musica de Filia Girlchoir, directed by Jaye Churchill, will perform Nov. 27 and 28. This large group of 90 concert and chamber choir members will be distributed between the three performances that weekend. The following weekend, Dec. 3-5, the Wescustago Youth Chorale will sing for the remaining four performances. This 30-member chorale is directed by Ann Dillon and Lise Dunn. Both choral groups are from the greater Portland area with representation from Brunswick, Bath and Waterville.

Tchaikovsky’s popular score will be brought to life again this year by the Maine State Ballet Orchestra conducted by Karla Kelley. The orchestra features 45 musicians, most of whom have played for the Orchestra for many seasons. Nearly all of the musicians reside in Maine, traveling from towns as far as Farmington, Rockland and Kittery Point to participate.

Maine State Ballet Nutcracker performance times are 2  and 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 27; 2 p.m. Sunday, November 28 ; 7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 3; 2 and 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 4 ; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5.

Tickets for The Nutcracker are on sale now through Porttix at 842-0800 or www.porttix.com. Tickets are priced from $15 – $45. Senior, child and group discounts are available. For more information, call  781-7672 or visit www.mainestateballet.org