At this time every year, dozens of young ballet students get a chance to perform on stage with professional dancers in the Kansas City Ballet's production of “The Nutcracker.”

“The Nutcracker,” which opens Friday at the Midland Theatre for 19 performances, features the music of Tchaikovsky, performed by the Kansas City Ballet Symphony Orchestra, and with the choreography of Todd Bolender.

Three casts of professional artists from the Kansas City Ballet, along with about 200 children from the Kansas City Ballet School, tell E.T.A. Hoffman's story of Clara and her magical adventure through the Kingdom of Sweets.