The ultimate holiday tradition for the youngest to the young at heart returns to the Temple Theatre stage Nov. 23.

The Moscow Ballet’s “Great Russian Nutcracker” has delighted Meridian audiences for more than a decade, thus becoming a local Christmas holiday tradition.

“We’ve enjoyed bringing this amazing group of dancers to Meridian each year,” said Ken Rainey, who, along with Tony Sansone, produces Meridian’s presentation of the production. “Many of those who come to the performance have seen it several times here at the Temple, while others it’s their first time.”

Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker is the unique telling of the classic story of Marsha (aka Clara) and her Nutcracker Doll told with true Russian flair. The show is comprised of award-winning principals and corps de ballet who perform Olympic-worthy leaps, lifts and pirouettes in the classic holiday tradition. The artists bring humor, charm, athletic prowess and Russian flair to Tchaikovsky’s timeless score.

Tinkering with 150-year-old Nutcracker tradition, Moscow Ballet takes the show to new heights incorporating props, costumes, and a new level of dramatic depth. Exclusive to Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker, the show adds a tribute to world peace, the “Dove of Peace,” for which two dancers become one bird with a 20-foot wingspan.

And, as in previous years, students from local dance schools will perform in the ballet as part of the Dance With Us program.

“This year, we have about 80 youth, ages 5 and up, who will be dancing with the Russian ballerinas. That’s an unforgettable experience,” Rainey said.

A generation of ballet students has had the rare opportunity of auditioning, rehearsing and performing with a professional, international touring ballet company through Dance With Us. According to a press release from the ballet’s website, the program includes partnerships with ballet studios in each tour city, which are carefully developed by Mary Gianonne Talmi, co-producer of Moscow Ballet’s North American tours. Moscow Ballet audition directors audition children in each city, rehearse with them for several days and leave the local host studio to rehearse the children for six weeks prior to the performance.

Performances of Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker run in more than 80 cities from November through December.

“Tony and I are proud to produce this great production, which is also presented in places such as New York, Atlanta, Dallas and other major cities at much higher prices,” Rainey said. “We try to keep the ticket prices affordable, so everyone can come see it. And thanks to our sponsors, we’re able to do that.”

Sponsors for this year’s presentation of Moscow Ballet’s “Great Russian Nutcracker” are WTOK-TV, Structural Steel and Rush Foundation Hospital.