The Ballet Guild of the Lehigh Valley (BGLV) and the Pennsylvania Youth Ballet is presenting its 48th production of the enchanting holiday ballet, “Nutcracker,” 1 and 4 p.m. Dec. 17 and 2 p.m. Dec. 18, Baker Hall, Zoellner Arts Center, Lehigh University, Bethlehem.

“We’re keeping the history of ballet alive and going. We have one of our largest casts to date,” says Karen Kroninger Knerr, Artistic Director of the Ballet Guild since 2007. More than 100 are in the production.

“We have Eugene Albuescu, who is our music director, and the conductor of the South Side Sinfonietta.” The full orchestra includes some of the best professional musicians in the region, including members of the Lehigh University Music Department.

A children’s choir of Lehigh Valley school students will lend their voices to the “Snow Scene” in Act I. The youngest cast member is six-years-old. Adult performers return to dance in the “Party” scene.

The roles of the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier are guest artists, principal dancers from the Boston Ballet, Ashley Ellis and Lasha Khozashvili. “We are very honored to have them,” says Knerr.

Marcello Bernard, from New York City’s Ajkun Ballet Theatre, will dance the role of the Snow King. He will partner with BGLV Pre-Professional dancer and Bethlehem resident, Jillian Sinko, appearing as Snow Queen.

Two new dancers will play Clara this year: Emma Blake, 12, of Belvidere, N.J., and Julia Snyder, 11, of Northampton. Dew Drop will be danced by Elisabeth Lee, 15, of Bethlehem.

“The highlight [of our productoin] is that the only hired dancers are guest artists. Everyone else is from the Pennsylvania Youth Ballet.

“As a director, I love to see our advanced students work their way up to lead roles in the production, which is a really nice thing to see,” Knerr says.

The “Nutcracker” was not well-received when it opened in Saint Petersburg, Russia, in 1892. Choreographer George Balanchine’s New York City Ballet revival in the 1950s made it a popular holiday season perennial.

When asked if the BGLV’s adaptation differs from the original, Knerr says, “I’ve heard audience members say that they like [ours] because it is a traditional version.”

She adds that the students’ skill level and development enhance the production each year, “basically, because the students are always evolving. That’s what initiates the change in choreography and casting.”

Knerr speaks of the production’s delightful visuals, which awes audiences: “The sets very much complement the ballet. One of the magical parts is the tree growing during Clara’s dream, and the snow falling. [In] our changeover when we go from the house to the battle scene, everything flies away and the tree grows and the giant Mouse King arrives with the Nutcracker.”

BGLV gives back to the community by offering free shows for area students to attend. “We have four school shows,” says Knerr. “So there are almost 4,000 students who see the production with the live orchestra. We bring in Title I students from Bethlehem.” Title 1 is a federal program that provides funds to school districts serving high numbers of economically-disadvantaged children.

“Some of [the students] have never seen live theater, or a ballet with an orchestra,” says Knerr. “They’re mesmerized.

“It’s wonderful to watch their faces, to watch them mimicking the conductor during the overture, or see their expressions and comments when the snow starts to fall.”

The BGLV dance school has 160 students. The pre-professional section, which provides more serious training, has approximately 40 students.

Tickets: Zoellner Arts Center Box Office, Lehigh University, 420 E. Packer Avenue, Bethlehem; zoellnerartscenter.org; 610-758-2787