Perhaps the biggest star of the evening was the new picture-book set designed by Peter Dean Beck.

Dancers of all sizes and ages in handsome costumes designed by Anne Namba brought the familiar story to life with the subtle lighting of Sandy Sandlin.

In this version, Marie, the daughter of the Silberhaus family, is led from her comfortable upper class home through a forest to the Kingdom of the Sweets. Her guide is the mysterious Herr Drosselmeyer and his young nephew.

Marie was played by Makena Miller, whose acting ability equaled her dancing skills. Michael Vernon brought us a kinder and gentler Drosselmeyer than customary, more like a funny, entertaining uncle than a magical godfather.

The performance featured many guest artists, outstanding among whom were Xiomara Reyes and Joaquin De Luz, particularly memorable in the Grand Pas de Deux. Trained in Cuba at the school founded by the great Alicia Alonso, Reyes, a soloist at American Ballet Theatre, displayed the fine, pure classical technique for which Alonso was known, devoid of artifice with her purity of line and smoothness of transitions.

De Luz, who hails from Spain, was equally devoid of mannerisms and presented the gallant and attentive Cavalier. His multiple turns, both on and off the ground, along with breathtaking leaps proved he has earned his place as a soloist at the New York City Ballet.

Sandra Brown, trained at the School of American Ballet, displays many of the trademarks of the Balanchine style — speed, accuracy, long-limbs and high extensions.

Meanwhile, Honolulu Dance Theatre's imaginative "King Kalakaua's Nutcracker Ballet," on stage at the Hawai'i Theatre, offers a different interpretation of the holiday favorite. Set in Hawai'i during the time of the monarchy, Matthew Wright's original concept puts us into more familiar surroundings. Instead of an upper class house, Wright sets the first act in 'Iolani Palace where the young heroine Princess Kaiulani and her taunting counterpart, Prince Kawananakoa, are danced charmingly by Tiffanie Ferrer and Rachel Alexander.