The soft tempo of a dance with the Sugar Plum Fairies or the exotic melody of an Arabian ballet, the Nutcracker offers a plethora of unique and memorable Yuletide favorites.

The Landmark Theatre of Syracuse will be welcoming back the Moscow Ballet's “Great Russian Nutcracker” for another year to highlight Christmas performances.

“(The Moscow Ballet) has been with us for about 18 years, not consecutively. They've been here about 15 years total” the Landmark's Executive Director Denise DiRienzo said as she described past performances. The Moscow Ballet Web site boasts this year as the 15th Great Russian Nutcracker tour in the United States.

For those who witnessed the stunning display of the Nutcracker at the John H. Mulroy Civic Center at OnCenter Dec. 2 presented by the Syracuse Symphony be sure not to miss this performance either.

“The costumes are authentic from Russia, as is the Orchestra,” DiRienzo said. She explained that the cultural influence makes this performance unique from other Nutcracker performances. “The costumes were re-done two years ago. They are absolutely beautiful, as well as the scenery and settings.”

The Moscow Ballet appears to have an underlying motive outside of the delicate steps on stage; children. The group's Web site displays numerous literacy programs to better educate youth and promote reading. From Newspapers in Education to the more generic Literacy Project for “supporting teacher training for effective reading instruction,” the Moscow Ballet is an extreme advocate for child literacy.

In an effort to continue to reach the world with literacy and performance arts, the Moscow Ballet will relive its glory at the Landmark to display a powerful dedication to both.

If you go

What: Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker

When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 18

Where: Landmark Theatre, 362 S. Salina St., Armory Square, Syracuse

Cost: Tickets are still available. Adults run from $25 to $65; Children under 12, $25 to $55; and seniors from $20 to $65

For details: Call 475-7979