College of Southern Idaho will sponsor a performance of "The Nutcracker" ballet at the Community Campus in Hailey on Tuesday, Dec. 15, at 7 p.m. The ballet performance will include several Wood River Valley children dancing alongside professional ballet dancers from the Eugene Ballet Company.

"The Nutcracker" tells the story of a young girl, Clara, who is given a nutcracker by her godfather at a party on Christmas Eve. After the guests leave, Clara is swept away in a dream fantasy in which mice battle toy soldiers, dolls and fairies dance to life and Clara's nutcracker transforms into a prince.

Tchaikovsky's music, the story and the fanciful stage sets promise to transport the audience to a holiday wonderland. The performance will include 40 Wood River Valley children and dance students who auditioned for roles in the ballet and rehearsed throughout the fall. Tickets are $15 and can be bought at the CSI Blaine County office or by calling 788-2033. Funds generated from the performance will benefit higher education programming in the Wood River Valley.