SENECA — When the first production of “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” hit the stage in St. Petersburg, Russia, audience members and critics alike, weren’t screaming for more.

In fact, after the curtain call in the Spring of 1892 at the Mayinsky Theatre, no one could have guessed that “The Nutcracker” would become one of the most famous holiday classics around the world.

It took about 50 years after that first production before people in the United States even heard about the play, but in 1944, that all changed.

The San Francisco Ballet opened the show that was directed by William Christensen and since then, theatres and ice rinks everywhere have been welcoming the numerous adaptations of “The Nutcracker.”

For 2008, the Foothills Conservatory for the Performing Arts (FCPA) will be traveling to the Brooks Center at Clemson University on Dec. 12 and 13 to entertain their audiences with “The Nutcracker” as a ballet.

With a vast array of characters, the Seneca-based performing arts center has successfully recruited some of the best young talent around, and director Ginny Siano, couldn’t be happier, she said.

“This is a $30,000 production with backdrops from Grosh Scenic Design in Hollywood,” she said. “Our professional dancers are some of the best in the nation.”

Blane Mader, 12-year old dancing prodigy, will transform into the prince, a leading role that encompasses difficult dance steps and plenty of poise. Mader, who is now training at the pre-professional level in the New Orleans area — his hometown — nailed the role during his stint at the Miami Ballet and plans to do so again at the Brooks Center.

“Last November I had a call from his mother saying they were in town and could her son come and take the advanced ballet class,” Siano said. “I thought she was crazy. She assured me her son was very advanced, so I said yes. She was correct. He was technically very advanced for his age.”

And Mader, even at 12 years old, has only been dancing for a little over a quarter of his young life.

Another extreme talent leading “The Nutcracker” is the Upstate’s own Lacey Vick. At 11 years old, she will be morphing into the charming young lass known as Clara. Soon to enjoy her Christmas break from R.C. Edwards Middle School, Vick can already look back on her portfolio of roles in “Mother Ginger Child” and the children’s favorite, “Raggedy Ann,” both with the FCPA.

A gaggle of 60 dancers will bring “The Nutcracker” to life, all of whom carry impressive resumes to the stage.

Alberto Liberatoscioli — hailing from Italy and joining “The Nutcracker” cast and crew temporarily from the Columbia Classic Ballet — has been dancing for his entire life. His parents own and operate a ballet school in the “Old Country” and Liberatoscioli says he dances with a variety of emotions, all of which make his performances utterly memorable and full of power.

Also joining the performing team is Kaori Yanagida, from Japan. Dancing ballet since age four and graduating from the Hungarian dance academy, Yanagida is a professional who will bring a lightening energy to the stage.

Peter Tchaikovsky wrote “The Nutcracker” in 1891 — he also penned “Swan Lake” and “The Sleeping Beauty.”

“The Nutcracker” will open at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 12 and at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13 at the Brooks Center. Tickets are $15. For more information, call (864) 656-7787.