Review: BALANCHINE'S THE NUTCRACKER at Academy Of Music

There are many holiday traditions, from fruit cake to watching A Christmas Story over and over again to the neverending disagreement about opening gifts on Christmas Eve or morning. For those connected to dance, there is no greater tradition than seeing a performance of The Nutcracker. For many, that tradition will continue, or begin, across the next month at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia, with Pennsylvania Ballet Artistic Director Angel Corrella's staging of the George Balanchine choreography for Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker.

Boasting not only an incredibly talent group of artists, but an equally vibrant set, orchestra and array of lavish costumes, the ballet "opened" Friday afternoon for a sneak preview working dress rehearsal for hundreds of Philadelphia-area school children. Judging from the applause through the final dress rehearsal for a show opening later Friday evening, this staging will delight adults and children alike.

Take an exclusive Broadway World photographic look at the Pennsylvania Ballet's Balanchine Nutcracker. For more information about tickets and the show, visit the PA Ballet's website at http://paballet.org/programs/the-nutcracker/