WHEELING — Oglebay Institute’s Youth Ballet Company presents The Nutcracker at 7 p.m. today, Friday, Dec. 20; and at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 22, at Towngate Theatre in Center Wheeling.

The Dec. 20 performance titled “The MUTTcracker” will help support friends at the Ohio County Animal Shelter.

Dancing flowers! Flurries of snowflakes! Beautiful fairies and a legion of mice! See them all swoop and soar across the stage. Oglebay Institute’s Youth Ballet Company dances The Nutcracker on Towngate stage. Beautifully costumed dancers bring this magical story to life. You will be transported into a Christmas fantasy. Marvel at the lavish set and revel in Tchaikovsky’s beloved score.

For many, this annual show is a treasured holiday tradition. So, gather the family and join everyone at Towngate for this magical holiday journey.

The show is sponsored by the Helen J. Prince Foundation. Additional support was provided by Brian, Julie and Tesla Joseph and Gary and Cheryl Pompeo.

Tickets are $20 for each show with the exception of tonight’s fund-raising show. Tickets to the Dec. 20 “MUTTcracker” performance are $25 (with $5 from each ticket going to Ohio County Animal Shelter).

Purchase tickets at oionline.com or call 304-242-7700.