Nutcracker with a twist

Two sister ballerinas from Huntington Beach want to take you on a magical journey where dreams come true.

Quinn and Aubry Mason, a dancing duo with the Maple Youth Ballet in Irvine, will share the lead role of Clara in the Maple Dance Conservatory’s spin-off of “The Nutcracker” Saturday through Monday.

Charles Maple, founder and director of the conservatory, said what sets his version of the story apart from the original is that it is a ballet about ballet, and a young girl’s passion to dance.

“It centers around a young girl, Clara, who wants to become a ballerina. Although too young to dance en pointe, she is given a pair of pointe shoes by ballet master and magician Herr Drosselmeyer. Through her dreams, Clara is transformed into an adult ballerina who dances with her Nutcracker Prince at the Palace of Sweets Ballet Company,” he said.

“My Nutcracker is the story of every dancer at my school.”

The story features Clara at different stages in her life. Aubry will play young Clara, and Quinn will play the teenage version.

Like the character they share on stage, both girls said they aspire to become professional ballerinas.

Quinn, 17, who has performed various roles, but never Clara, in “The Nutcracker” 13 times in the 14 years she’s been dancing, said although she enjoys both versions, she prefers Maples’ story.

“I can relate more to this story,” she said. “It shows the cycle of dream, potential, and reaching your goals. Charles really portrays the Youth Ballet through ‘The Nutcracker.’

“There is also a lot of fun choreography in our show.”

Aubry, 9, said she is more than excited to share a role with her sister in her second “Nutcracker” performance.

“I think [my part] is really cool because I want to play older Clara when I am that age, so it’s fun watching [Quinn] do what I may be able to,” she said. “I look up to my sister and want to be just like her when I get more advanced.”

Both girls have danced since they were young, and have been with the Maple Youth Ballet since its opening in May 2007. Prior to that, they took ballet, jazz, tap and modern dance at the Orange County Dance Center in Huntington.

In Maples’ original 1997 “Nutcracker,” Clara was played by Misty Copeland, a young ballerina who dreamed of joining the American Ballet Theatre and went on to become a soloist for the prestigious dance company.

Maples said the Mason sisters are also “future stars of ballet.

“Aubry is the perfect little Clara with her sweet little girl smile and enthusiastic dancing,” he said. “Her sister is the dream Clara, whose mature and emotional interpretation of older Clara is simply amazing for such a young dancer. ‘The Nutcracker’ contains a message that lives in the heart, soul and dreams of every young dancer — it is the Mason sisters’ story.”

IF YOU GO

WHAT: The Nutcracker, performed by the Maple Youth Ballet

WHEN: 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and 7 p.m. Monday.

WHERE: Northwood Performing Arts Theatre, 4515 Portola Parkway, Irvine.

INFORMATION: Tickets from $16 to $28. For more information call (949) 660-9930 ext. 24 or visit www.mapledanceconservatory .com