The 26th annual Nutcracker Ballet opens for a two-weekend run this Saturday. Over the years the Homer production has interpreted the music of Tchaikovsky’s ballet and the original Nutcracker fairy tale with themes like an alternate Steampunk reality to a castle of cards. 

This year, the ballet comes closer to home with a vision based on Homer’s relationship to the sea. 

“We work on the water, we play on the water and we are forever discovering new wonders as we do,” said Jennifer Norton, the ballet’s co-director with choreographer Breezy Berryman. 

With costumes by Wina Wade, projection design by Dustin Davis (DJ Fiend), sound by Cody Davidson (Red 5) and Robert Copland-McKinney, the directors have woven these elements “to delve deep into the abyss,” Norton said.

Dancing lead roles are Annali Metz as Clara, Hanna Marsh as the Snow Queen, Katia Holmes as Princess Purlipat, Flynn Bloom as King Rat and Quinn Alward as the Battle Nutcracker. 

This year’s guest dancer is Brendan Barthel of California. Norton said to look for surprises from filmmakers Michael Walsh and Kevin Co, gymnast and dancer Daisy Kettle, and Lucas Thoning (Mr. Homer) as Drosselmeier.

Shows are 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12 and 3 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Mariner Theatre. Tickets are $10 for all seats at the Homer Bookstore and River City Books in Soldotna.