BEDFORD – Enjoy the magic and beauty of the timeless classic, The Nutcracker, this holiday season as Southern New Hampshire Dance Theater performs this holiday classic at the Palace Theatre, 80 Hanover St. in Manchester, from Nov. 19-22.

The 26th annual performance boasts a cast of over sixty talented dancers and performers, including talented guest artists including Caroline Baggs courtesy of Ballet Frontier and Yuval Cohen courtesy of Boston Ballet among others.

“The holiday season is not complete without this annual tradition that we are proud to present again this year,” said Peter Ramsey, president of the Palace Theatre.

Baggs, an alumn of Southern New Hampshire Dance Theatre, will be performing the roles of Sugar Plum Fairy and Arabian Soloist, courtesy of Ballet Frontier. She trained at Ballet Academy East and began her professional career with New Jersey Ballet under the direction of Maria Kowroski and currently dances with Ballet Frontier of Texas under Chung-Lin Tseng.

Cohen began his dance training in Israel before studying at Russia’s prestigious Vaganova Ballet Academy. His repertoire includes leading roles in Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Giselle, Le Corsaire, The Sleeping Beauty, and Carmen along with works by George Balanchine, Alvin Ailey and William Forsythe.

James Jobson-Larkin will perform the roles of Cavalier and Arabian soloist, courtesy of Ballet West. He began his dance training at Ballet Academy East before continuing at Ellison Ballet. He is currently in his third season with Ballet West, where he performs as a member of the Corps de Ballet.

Assaf Benchetrit returns to perform the roles of Snow King, Cavalier and Arabian Soloist. He began his studies at the Rubin Academy for Music and Dance in Jerusalem, Israel. Upon graduation, he danced with the Jerusalem Dance Theater, the Panov Ballet and later with The Israeli National Ballet Company.

Michael Dascomb will perform the roles of Soldier Doll, Candy Cane Soloist and Spanish Dancer. A Jacob’s Pillow alumnus and YoungArts Winner, he performs professionally with NSquared Dance and Saving Grace Dance Ensemble and with Fourth Dimension Tap Co.

Nathan Duszny will perform the roles of Drosselmeyer, Snow King, Arabian Soloist and Spanish Soloist. His dance credits include First National Tour Finding Neverland, National Tour Beauty and the Beast, First National Tour Flashdance, Radio City’s Christmas Spectacular, Hello Dolly and more.

Nicholas Betty Neagle will perform the role of Mouse King. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in dance from Marymount Manhattan College and co-founded the NSquared Dance Company. He has shown works in more than 25 festivals and is a recurring choreographer for the Queensboro Dance Festival and the Moving Beauty Series, among others.

Zachary Betty Neagle will perform as the Nutcracker Prince. He is the artistic director of NSquared Dance and holds his Master’s degree in choreography from Wilson College and Bachelor’s degree in dance from Marymount Manhattan College. He has collaborated with The Palace Theatre, Southern New Hampshire Youth Ballet, Currier Museum of Art and New Hampshire Dance Collaborative.

Benjamin Bourne, a graduate of Dean College with a Bachelor’s degree in dance with several performance credits including restages of Jose՛ Limón’s “The Unsung” and Paul Taylor’s “Junction” to perform as party Parent and Spanish Dancer.

Ryan Carrigan will also join the cast as a Party Parent, Spanish Dancer and Chinese Soloist. He has trained in ballet, jazz, modern and contemporary dance, beginning his studies with Palace Teen Company and continuing with José Mateo Ballet and Pioneer Valley Ballet.

Scott Bergendahl performing as Drosselmeyer began his dance training in 2011, studying with notable teachers including Anne Flemming, Maria Huard, and Larinda McRaven. Bergendahl is a two-time World Masters Pro-Am 9-Dance Champion and was a finalist in the Rising Star American Rhythm category at the Ohio Star Ball.

Southern New Hampshire Dance Theater has several artists-in-residence once again returning to the production.

Faculty member Douglas Davis will reprise his role of Drosselmeyer. Davis has danced in both the U.S. and Europe with the Los Angeles Ballet, the Frankfurt Ballet, Zurich Ballet and Bern Ballet.

Faculty member and alum Sallie Werst will dance the role of Arabian Soloist. Werst danced with Bossov Ballet Theater, Vermont Chamber Ballet and the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. She also studied in New York City at Ballet Academy East with Darla Hoover.

Another alum, Erika Davis, will perform as Frau Silberhaus. Her training and professional affiliations include Carolina Ballet, School of American Ballet, North Carolina Dance Theater, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Philadelphia Dance Theater and Walnut Hill School.

Lori Mello, a regular guest artist with Southern New Hampshire Dance Theater and former Radio City Music Hall Rockette, will reprise her role as Mother Ginger. Her Broadway national tours include Cabaret and A Funny Thing Happened…West Side Story and 42nd Street are regional theater favorites.

“With seven performances over four days we have an extensive cast of guest artists this year and they will be a great compliment to the many local young dancers in the company,” said Patricia Lavoie, artistic director of Southern New Hampshire Dance Theater.

For show times and ticket information call the Palace Theatre Box Office at 603-668-5588 or visit www.palacetheatre.org or www.snhdt.org.