NATCHEZ — The Christmas poem, “T’was the night before Christmas” has never been told like this before.

Over 100 dancers from Middleton School of Dance in Natchez will take to the stage tonight at Natchez City Auditorium to put their own spin on the classic Christmas poem.

Reindeer Hannah Gordon has danced in the holiday recital each year it has been in existence, but said she never gets tired of the program.

“”You never really know what to expect,” the 16-year-old Cathedral sophomore said. “And that is what makes it fun.”

The curtain opens on a group of young girls busy decorating their Christmas tree and wrapping presents. Two of the young girls stay awake after everyone else is fast asleep.

And while admiring the presents under the tree, the girls are surprised when some of their beautifully wrapped presents come to life and begin to dance.

Carmen Serio, who dances the part of Raggedy Ann, said she is relieved that it is finally time to perform. She and the rest of the cast have been learning dances and rehearsing since August.

“It feels good to dance because we’ve been working up to this,” the 9-year-old said. “It is always fun when you are out there dancing and doing what you love.”

After watching the toys dance, the girls fall asleep and even more Christmas magic occurs.

Recital director Ann Gaudé said that while the story remains basically the same, there is always something new for the audience to enjoy.

“We like to have to a surprise each year for the audience,” she said. “We want something that excites them and keeps them coming back year after year.”

Emily Cothren, 18, said the holiday ballet is fun for everyone in the audience.

“It isn’t just for the little kids,” she said. “People of all ages in the audience really enjoy it and get excited about it.”

Cothren, a senior at Cathedral, will dance the part of the Spanish dancer and a Christmas tree.

Gaudé couldn’t reveal this year’s surprise, but hinted that Santa may have a special friend accompanying him.

Also new to this year’s performance will be dancing Christmas trees and dancing petite Christmas trees.

While the performance is in its third year, morning girl Mary Catherine Wilkerson is dancing in her first performance of “T’was the night before Christmas.”

She returned to dancing after taking a little bit of time off.

“I danced a couple of years ago,” she said. “But I missed how graceful you feel when you are dancing.”

Ann Elise Rinehart, a 17-year-old senior at Cathedral High School, said dancing in her final Christmas performance is a bittersweet experience.

“It is kind of sad because I’ve been dancing since I was 3,” Rinehart said. “It has become such a big part of my life.”

Rinehart will dance the parts of a snowflake and the Christmas fairy.

Gaudé said it is the commitment from her dancers like Rinehart that made her want to have a Christmas program.

“For them to come to class two to four days a week for so many years — it takes amazing discipline and commitment and responsibility on their part,” Gaudé said. “Because of that I wanted to give them more time to perform.”

Tickets for the one-night only performance are on sale at Minette’s in Natchez and can be purchased at the auditorium before the performance.

They are $5 for students and $10 for adults.

Gaudé said she has always been pleased with the turnout and expects this year to be much the same.

“We’ve really packed the auditorium in years past,” she said. “People really look forward to this each year.”

Snow Queen Allie Wilson, 18, agreed.

“It really is the thing to do on a Thursday night in Natchez.”