Sentient rodent lords, sugar plum fairies, magical toys and a mystical world made of candy and enchantments are found in one of the most well-known stories of our time. These elements, though they may sound like they belong in “Harry Potter,” are from a much older tale called “The Nutcracker.”

ISU Orchestral Director Mark Laycock says the music of “The Nutcracker” could account for its popularity.

“Audiences all over the world are drawn to Russian music. It has a rhythmic drive, beautiful melodic writing and colorful orchestrations,” he says. “[The music] is instantly appealing and has a timeless quality to it. It has an added connection of Christmas, connecting it to a holiday tradition that we return to every year.”

The original story that the ballet is based upon is much different from what is performed today.

In 1816, E.T.A. Hoffman wrote “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King.” This tale, far from a children’s story, tells the grim account of a young girl named Marie, who lives in an unloving family.

She is overcome with happiness when she receives a nutcracker as a Christmas gift from her godfather.

That night, at the stroke of midnight, the evil Mouse King and his minions visit Marie. The Mouse King threatens to kill her nutcracker if she will not give him her Christmas toys. Luckily, the nutcracker comes to life and attempts to fight the Mouse King, but is overpowered by the army of mice.

Marie, horrified by these events, throws her slipper and strikes the Mouse King, but immediately faints.

In the next stage of the story, Marie’s godfather comes to visit and tells a tale within the tale about the bitter rivalry between the Mouse King and the Nutcracker.

The Nutcracker, who once was a handsome young gallant, was performing a ritual to save the princess of the kingdom when he accidentally stepped on and killed the Mouse King’s mother. By doing so, the handsome young man was turned into a nutcracker.

The final stage of the story is another battle between the Nutcracker and the Mouse King, but this time the Nutcracker is victorious and slays the evil lord of mice. By killing the Mouse King, he breaks the spell and returns to his normal self. He whisks Marie off into a wondrous world in which he is the prince.

In 1891 Marius Petipa, senior ballet master of the Russian Imperial ballet, became interested in a less violent children’s adaptation of Hoffman’s story that was written by Alexander Dumas.

Petipa sought the legendary Pete Ilyich Tchaikovsky to write the score for this new production.

Tchaikovsky agreed, and he worked closely with Petipa to create a musical scheme that would compliment the choreography and the story of the ballet.

“The Nutcracker” was not an overnight success.

Many critics said it was a very poor ballet after its premiere.

The beautiful blend of music, scenery and choreography began to win audiences over, and the ballet slowly emerged as modern day’s most popular ballet of the Christmas season.

Performing arts professor Jane Cox predicts that the “The Nutcracker” will continue to remain popular in the future, due to its all-ages appeal and ability to capture audiences into a beautiful and enchanting world.

“The Nutcracker” appears this weekend at Stephen’s Auditorium.

Tickets are available at the Iowa State Center ticket office.