Star power at Eastern Connecticut Ballet's "Nutcracker"

New York City Ballet principal dancer Teresa Reichlen leads the cast of Eastern Connecticut Ballet's 11th annual "Nutcracker."

Reichlen will dance the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy during the Saturday and Sunday performances at the Garde Arts Center. The "Nutcracker" boasts, too, 110 ECB dancers and Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra members.

ECB has given the traditional "Nutcracker" tale a New London-centric twist. Here, Clara finds herself in an enchanted seaport in 1850s New London. The story follows characters into the Land of Sweets and onto the sea, where the Nutcracker and some sailors get in a skirmish with the Rat King and his pirates.

- KRISTINA DORSEY

Eastern Connecticut Ballet's "Nutcracker," 1:30 and 7 p.m. Saturday and 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Garde Arts Center, 325 State St., New London; $35-$45 adults, $21-$28 ages 12 and under; (860) 444-7373, gardearts.org.