Moscow Ballet's "Great Russian Nutcracker" 25th anniversary tour at Tivoli for two shows. WEDNESDAY

MOSCOW BALLET, two local dance companies presenting Tchaikovsky’s classic work

Moscow Ballet’s “Great Russian Nutcracker” 25th anniversary tour is celebrating 25 years of North American tours with 105 artists performing in three tours on stages across the country simultaneously. Never before have so many ballerinas and danseurs from the most prestigious ballet theaters of Russia assembled for one event.

Moscow Ballet’s Central Tour will stop in Chattanooga for two performances at the Tivoli Theater on Wednesday, Dec. 20, at 3 and 7 p.m.

Principal and featured dancers include Andrey Batalov, of Mariinsky Ballet Theater; Karyna Shatkovskaya, who received the Kazakhstan State Prize; and Rafael Urazov, winner of the International Ballet School competition and Artistic Gold winner in the Korean International Ballet Competition.

In addition to world-class artists, Moscow Ballet’s “Great Russian Nutcracker” features larger-than-life puppets, nesting dolls and beautiful hand-crafted costumes.

Through the Russian company’s “Dance With Us” program, local youth will have the rare chance to dance onstage with these professionals, according to Bre Reilly, Moscow Ballet PR assistant.

In late August, Hamilton Academy of Dance on Hixson Pike put out an open call for young dancers interested in auditioning. Any child from any area dance company or school group could audition. Patricia Ryan, academy director, says those chosen have been training since September for Wednesday’s performances. This is the second year Hamilton Academy of Dance has partnered with the Moscow Ballet in this way.

“The experience of rehearsing with the company, being fitted in Moscow Ballet costumes, and performing for a live audience of a thousand or more is often a once-in-a-lifetime experience for these children,” says Reilly. Party Children: Olivia Anderson, Katie Bacon, Sadie Buhrman, Sharon Cheng, Joey Guo, Lola Howell, Luka Mallo- Guenthner, Mia Mallo- Guenthner, Hunter Johnson, Anna MacDonald, Katherine Millican, Ryleigh Smith, Sydney Smith, Kassi Willis

Mice: Sadie Buhrman, Joey Guo, Jordyn Keegan, Anna Tuite, Abby Nation, Cassie Wolfe Snowflakes: Sara Alexander, Elin Cheng, Kiana Crawford, Isabella Hollifield, Anna Kate McKissick, Sammye Miller, Elena Mullins, Sophia Santola, Adelie Wickstrom, Hope Wilkey

Snow Sprites: Mary Humphrey, Emma Ness, Moriah Stansberry, Lydia Werner Snow Maidens: Olivia Anderson, Alexis Gallagher, Haley Henry, Lola Howell, Mia Mallo-Guenthner, Katherine Millican, Annaliese Mullins, Araya Shirley, Sydney Smith, Kassi Willis Spanish Variation: Katie Bacon, Sharon Cheng, Haley Henry, Lydia Werner Arabian Variation: Cassidy Gabelein, Mary Humphrey Chinese Variation: Annaliese Mullins, Emma Ness, Araya Shirley, Moriah Stansberry Russian Variation: Olivia Anderson, Finley Burnette, Hunter Johnson, Ryleigh Smith French Variation: Elin Cheng, Elena Mullins Snowflake in grand jete.

A leaping nutcracker doll in Moscow Ballet’s production.