In The Pipeline:

“I told them I needed a size-12 ballet slipper, and the guy came back with one old box, blew the dust off of it and said, ‘This is the only pair we’ve ever had in that size.’”

Ralph Bauer is home, recounting his search for the shoes back in the mid-1970s after being cast as “Dr. Drosselmeyer,” in what’s become a true Huntington Beach tradition — the production of “The Nutcracker” at the famed Huntington Beach High School Auditorium.

But the tradition extends even deeper in the Bauer household. His daughter Elaine, sitting next to her father on this late Saturday afternoon, also starred in the show — as has Elaine’s 17-year-old daughter Claire, who also sits nearby.

In fact, Claire is back once again as the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Ballet Etudes production of the classic Christmas show, which can now boast three generations of Bauers.

As Elaine had explained to me earlier, it was through her father’s efforts as a high school board member that the auditorium was saved in the 1970s, which makes the production even sweeter in the Bauer household (and I’m sure, many other households as well).

“That was a close vote,” Ralph Bauer laughs. “We almost lost that wonderful building.”

And even the casual observer knows that helping to preserve this piece of Huntington Beach history is just a wisp of what this distinguished gentleman has accomplished in the many years he’s lived here with his wife, Charlene, and their family.

His resume includes the words “chairman,” “member” and “commission” far too many times for me to type here, and today it seems this renowned chemist would much rather talk Nutcracker than his vaunted efforts in his adopted hometown (he’s originally from Los Angeles).

The 1926 auditorium and tower where the production will take place recently underwent a massive, $9.6-million renovation.

During the renovation, as has been written about in this paper recently, the theater’s original 1926 archway was discovered as crews were digging into it, the archway and ceiling were restored to their original state, and the 600-seat auditorium was fitted with new seats, among many other upgrades.

This is one of the most historic structures in Huntington Beach, and the fact that it was renovated to this degree is truly wonderful news to anyone who cares about the city’s history (and bemoans how many structures have been lost in recent decades).

Claire says she’s excited about this, her swan song performance for the company, before she heads off to college. She’s danced with many of these same young women in the company for years, and the chance to perform once more in the newly refurbished auditorium will be simply “a thrill,” she says. ‘

Elaine, sits proudly on the couch reflecting on her years in the show, and Charlene Bauer also has tales to tell.

“I made his costume,” she laughs when talking about her husband’s aforementioned role as Dr. Drosselmeyer. “The fake nose, the cape — he looked wonderful.”

Seeing three generations of family together, all connected to “The Nutcracker,” embodies the small-town roots that can still be found throughout Huntington Beach.

I’m sure many of you reading this right now have been involved in one way or another with a production of this show. Maybe some of your parents were in the party scene. Or maybe your little ones portrayed mice, dolls, hares, toys, soldiers, gnomes, snowflakes, fairies or Punchinellos.

Regardless, this is a wonderful holiday tradition, made even more magical this year by the reopening of the classic auditorium. With veteran Claire Keeley as the Sugar Plum Fairy, along with Megan Moore as Clara, this show promises to be particularly memorable.

It’s an opportunity to see an exceptionally produced version of the Tchaikovsky classic right here where you live, and a chance to support one of the most historic arts traditions we have here in Huntington Beach. The Bauers will all be there. I hope you will be too.

And from the entire Epting family, we wish you a most happy Thanksgiving.

CHRIS EPTING is the author of 14 books, including the new “Huntington Beach Then & Now.” You can write him at [email protected] .