It’s down to the final dress rehearsals for Ninth Avenue School of Dance’s production of “The Nutcracker.”

The event, which sells out every year, will have its opening night at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19 at the Knutzen Family Theatre, 3200 SW Dash Point Road. Additional performances are scheduled for 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 20 and 1 and 5 p.m. Dec. 21 at the theater.

This is the studio’s 10th year performing the traditional holiday ballet. This is the only production of “The Nutcracker” in Federal Way.

“It’s so popular and it’s a great holiday tradition,” said Mariko Honda, who has been dancing with the studio since it opened 15 years ago — and was Clara the first year the studio performed “The Nutcracker.” She is currently an instructor at the studio. “There’s never a ticket left over by the time we close the door,” she said.

Parents and families of dancers are often recruited to help out backstage with the performance, dealing with props, scene changes, costume changes and watching the kids in the main rehearsal stage.

“It’s a huge family event,” Honda said.

The event sells out every seat and Honda recommends pre-ordering tickets. There are usually only 20 to 30 tickets left before any given show and priority is given to dancers’ families.

Get your tickets for ‘Nutcracker’

“The Nutcracker” will open 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19 at the Knutzen Family Theatre, 3200 SW Dash Point Road. Additional performances are scheduled for 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 20 and 1 and 5 p.m. Dec. 21.

Ticket presale ends on Dec. 15. Presale ticket prices are $16 for adults and $13 for seniors and children 12 and under. Ticket prices at the door are $19 for adults and $16 for seniors and children 12 and under.

To learn more, visit www.ninthavenuedance.com.