Marking a crucial turning point, Ballet Theatre of Maryland last weekend offered three performances of The Nutcracker - a ballet choreographed locally by its late founder Edward Stewart, who danced a final cameo as Herr Drosselmeyer last December.

Stewart ensured the survival of his Nutcracker by appointing Leslie Bradley, who has an 18-year association as soloist and principal dancer with the company, to stage the work, adding to a legacy that includes a talented corps of dancers.

Judging by the quality of the performance Saturday evening at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, I'd say Stewart's trust in Bradley was not misplaced.

It was apparent, despite a few ragged spots, that conductor Charles Rosenkrans and the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra were adept at revealing the color and brilliance of Peter Tchaikovsky's incomparable score. They also established fine rapport with the dancers in the story, based on E.T.A. Hoffmann's The Nutcracker and the Mouse King.

The ballet centers on Clara celebrating her birthday on Christmas Eve. The children's godfather, Herr Drosselmeyer, visits Clara and her naughty brother Fritz, bringing Clara a special nutcracker.

After the party, Clara dreams of the nutcracker, transformed into a prince, who defeats an army of evil mice. The prince and Clara go to the Land of Snow and the Kingdom of Sweets before Clara awakens and realizes she was dreaming.

Reprising her role as Clara, prima ballerina Zhirui "Regina" Zou projects a lovely innocence and exquisite technique.

And Zou had in Dmitri Malikov a dancer who was not only skilled but also sartorially elegant in his red military jacket and white tights. Malikov executed powerful leaps and seamless spins with little apparent effort.

Blake Beardsley made an exciting debut as Drosselmeyer, projecting an easy charm and unassuming manner.

New to the county, this dance teacher and choreographer said he was added to the production late and dropped guest parts in Ohio and Michigan to take the role. "I've been overwhelmed by the support of the Maryland audiences," Beardsley said.

It seems that audience members also were overwhelmed by Beardsley, particularly in the Russian Divertissement trio, when they cheered his authentic Cossack-like multiple leaping splits.

Company stalwart Jeffrey Watson, a powerful Snow King, danced smoothly with lovely Snow Queen Anmarie Touloumis, who later danced an exquisite Dew Drop Fairy.

Perhaps most exciting was Watson's sensuous dancing in the Arabian Divertissement with his gorgeous partner Sarah Cincotta, joined by Katie Lamb and Stephanie Rolland. Watson did triple duty as the frenetic Mouse King.

Other noteworthy performances were offered by Jaime Lawton and Kelly Hoenig in multiple roles - as guests in the opening scene, in the Spanish and Chinese Divertissements, and in the Waltz of the Flowers. Young Nick Carter was a dynamic and attractive Fritz, and all the young angels, cherubs and children dancers deserve hearty applause.

The Ballet Theatre of Maryland production is enhanced by an eye-popping, colorful set with scene curtain and backdrops created by Lynne Wilson and Jane Wingard. The set also features a large - and growing - Christmas tree fashioned by James McMahon and Laura Palmer.

As usual the costumes, designed by Juliet Shore, are works of art that reveal her superb sense of color and move beautifully to enhance the dancers' changing kaleidoscopic image.

A few seats remain for the final Nutcracker performance at 2 p.m. Saturday. Call 410-263-2909 to order tickets.