The Miami City Ballet is bringing holiday cheer to South Florida with its sparkling production of George Balanchine's "The Nutcracker" at the Adrienne Arsht Center's Ziff Ballet Opera House. This season, however, carries a sense of nostalgia as one of its stars prepares to make her final performance, as reported by the Miami Herald. According to an announcement on the Miami City Ballet's official page, this year's production will be the last dance for the company's beloved prima ballerina.

Bringing the holiday classic back to life, attendees will once again have the opportunity to step into the Land of Sweets. "I love being the Sugarplum Fairy because she gets to come out and dance with the angels," Jordan Elizabeth Long, who has continuously enchanted audiences as the Sugarplum Fairy, told Local 10.

The spotlight will shine on Long in her iconic Sugarplum Fairy tutu for the final time. The production, described by principal dancer Chase Swatosh, as "unique and exciting," differentiates itself with sets and costumes that are exclusive to the Miami City Ballet. "In addition to that, our version is unique because no one else has the same sets and costumes that we have," Swatosh said in a Local 10 interview.

Devotion to the craft has been evident as dancers have been rehearsing tirelessly since October. The prima ballerina's dedication will be showcased alongside over 100 dancers, all choreographed to blend tradition with South Florida flair. Swatosh aptly captures the sentiment of the season, "I hope people are entertained. I hope they're filled with inspiration and hope," he told Local 10.

The Miami City Ballet's performance of "The Nutcracker" will be enchanting audiences until its final bow on December 24.