Behind the scenes of the ever-enchanting Nutcracker

(Image credit: A ballet dancer puts on her shoes while sitting on a stage behind the curtain before Nacho Duato's The Nutcracker at the Mikhailovsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia.)

(Image credit: A ballet dancer leaps during a rehearsal of The Nutcracker choreographed by Nacho Duato (whose photo decorates the wall) at the Mikhailovsky Theatre.)

(Image credit: Ballet dancer Mario Labrador stretches in a hallway.)

(Image credit: A seamstress prepares a costume.)

(Image credit: A ballet dancer watches from backstage during a rehearsal.)

(Image credit: Principal dancer Ivan Zaytsev gets his makeup done before performing.)

(Image credit: Anastasia Soboleva, first soloist, chooses her pointe shoes for practice.)

(Image credit: Ballet dancers perform in Nacho Duato's The Nutcracker.)

(Image credit: Ballet soloist Valeria Zapasnikova and principal dancer Leonid Sarafanov perform in Nacho Duato's The Nutcracker.)