Nothing signals winter in Las Vegas like the start of Nevada Ballet Theatre's The Nutcracker. The current version, choreographed by James Canfield and now in its eighth year, features a story familiar to many: A young girl named Clara finds herself transported to a land of toy soldiers and sugar plum fairies, accompanied by her handsome prince. The music, by Tchaikovsky, is even more embedded in our cultural consciousness, composed long before ballets were performed.

Nevada Ballet Theatre Artistic Director Roy Kaiser says that while there are myriad productions of The Nutcracker across the U.S. this time of year, NBT's stands out since it was specifically created for the majestic Reynolds Hall stage inside the Smith Center. "The scenic elements and the choreography just feels huge," Kaiser says. "The Smith Center is a large space, and this production just fills that space beautifully."

One of the production's most stunning elements is a 34-foot-tall life-size Victorian dollhouse—complete with a 15-foot-tall grandfather clock and a Christmas tree so big it rivals the one outside on the Smith Center lawn—that comes into view to open Act 1. And as magical as the sets feel, the performances are even more so, thanks to a cast and crew numbering over 100.

"In the span of one series of performances between December 13 and 24, this year's [production] will have multiple casts performing many of the roles," Kaiser says. "That happening brings small changes in nuance and personality to the ballet."

NBT prides itself on nurturing young talent from its Academy, and The Nutcracker, which features many young performers, offers plum roles to students. "This year we have over 50 students from our Academy who will also be part of the production," Kaiser says. "They've been working for a couple months now, learning and perfecting their parts. In addition to teaching the young students what they need to do onstage and their specific roles and assignments, we also try and teach them a little bit about the professional theater and what it takes to work and be successful."

For Kaiser, The Nutcracker's enduring appeal is grounded in its familiarity, from the timeless story to the score. "I've known families throughout my career where grandparents are bringing their grandchildren, because they brought their children when they were young and now they're revisiting it with their grandchildren," he says. "It's something you look forward to every year."

THE NUTCRACKER December 13-24, times vary, $31-$190. Smith Center's Reynolds Hall, nevadaballet.org.