Mary Kate Reynolds will star as Odette and Alex Bucker will play Von Rothbard, the Evil Sorcerer, in this weekend’s production of “Swan Lake” by the First State Ballet Theatre.

For dance lovers who thought they had to travel to Philadelphia to pursue their passion, the First State Ballet Theatre (FSBT), Delaware’s professional ballet company, offers an alternative much closer to home.

Based in Wilmington’s exquisite Grand Opera House, First State Ballet Theatre will perform “Swan Lake,” a classic tale of beauty, sorcery, and drama, on Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.

The production, under the artistic direction of Kirov-trained Pasha Kambalov, one of the company’s co-founders, promises spectacular costumes from Russia, Tchaikovsky’s enchanting music, spirited staging, and thrilling performances by FSBT’s 22-member company.

Tickets range from $28 to $48 for adults and are available at 1-800-37-GRAND 
or www.ticketsatthegrand.org.  Students 18 and under receive half-off the adult price, and a $5 reduction is offered to seniors and groups; however, the discounts are not available online.

And for those who are already thinking ahead to the holidays, FSBT will continue its “Nutcracker” tradition with three performances of that enduring Tchaikovsky ballet at the Grand Opera House on Dec. 21 and 22.

The company routinely performs full-length works and mixed-repertory programs throughout Delaware and beyond, commissions new choreography from internationally recognized choreographers, offers ballet training at its school, and educates the Delaware dance audience of the future, according to its web site. For more information, visit http://www.firststateballet.com.