(LAKEWOOD, NJ) -- The Atlantic City Ballet brought their production of The Nutcracker to The Strand in Lakewood on Sunday, December 18th. It was their final production of the holiday classic for the year following a run of performances at Stockton and their home at Caesars in Atlantic City.  Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.

This is the 40th year the Atlantic City Ballet has presented its production of The Nutcracker. This beloved ballet tells the story of a little girl named Clara who is given a magical nutcracker doll on Christmas Eve. Embarking on a wondrous journey through the Kingdom of Snow and the Land of Sweets, Clara encounters many unforgettable and timeless characters. Young and old alike will experience the magic of this marvelous Christmas tale that will create a lifetime of memories.

Choreographed by Phyllis Papa, the production travels to theaters, colleges and casinos. The costumes and scenery are magnificent. It is a spectacular and beautiful ballet as these photos show.

Nutcracker is a family tradition that embodies the holiday spirit. It has been enjoyed by young and old, and remains the most well attended ballet in history. It is based on the story by Hoffman to the music of Tchaikovsky and is the most famous of all ballets.

Founded in 1982, by Phyllis Papa the Atlantic City Ballet serves as a prime artistic resource to the residents of Atlantic City and the surrounding areas. The company is comprised of professional dancers from around the world and have earned national acclaim for their technical expertise and exuberant stage presence. AC Ballet offers access to fully-staged performances by a highly skilled company of professional dancers and educational programs designed to fit the needs of a diverse student population. 

The company's repertoire of original works includes such classics as A Midsummer Night's Dream, Sleeping Beauty, and Swan Lake. Ms. Papa is most known for her innovative works such as Dracula, Caught Up In The Swing,  and her full length Carmen.  Since its inception, the Atlantic City Ballet has served as one of the cultural treasures of New Jersey and continues a tradition of dance excellence for future generations of ballet audiences.

Here are more photos from the production.

John Posada is a New Jersey based photographer specializing in photographing live theatre and music performances. For more than 15 years, John has photographed live events where he mastered the techniques of timing and capturing fast moving action under challenging lighting conditions. Currently, John has spent the last 3 years concentrating on photographing almost 200 theatre productions for over 70 different theatres. Click here for John's website.