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Image: Dancers from the Czech National Ballet wait backstage during a performance of The Nutcracker at the National Theatre in Prague, Czech Republic, on Dec. 16.

Photo

The Nutcracker still thrives on magic and whimsy, 125 years after premiere

Tchaikovsky's ballet debuted on Dec. 18, 1892 in St. Petersburg, Russia. Initially unsuccessful, it later became global Christmas tradition.

/ 13 PHOTOS
Image: First lady Melania Trump watches as ballerinas perform a piece from The Nutcracker among the 2017 holiday decorations in the Grand Foyer of the White House in Washington, on Nov. 27, 2017.

First lady Melania Trump watches as ballerinas perform a piece from "The Nutcracker," as the White House Christmas decorations were unveiled on Nov. 27, 2017.

— Carolyn Kaster / AP
Image: Dancers from Australia's national ballet company perform on stage during a dress rehearsal of The Nutcracker at the Opera House in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, on May 1.

Dancers from Australia's national ballet company rehearse on stage at the Opera House in Sydney on May 1.

— David Moir / EPA
Image: Dancers from the Czech National Ballet wait backstage during a performance of The Nutcracker at the National Theatre in Prague, Czech Republic, on Dec. 16.

Dancers from the Czech National Ballet wait backstage during a performance at the National Theatre in Prague, Czech Republic, on Dec. 16.

— Martin Divisek / EPA
Image: A dancer from the Czech National Ballet stretches and warms up in a stage corner before a performance at the National Theatre in Prague on Dec. 16.

A dancer from the Czech National Ballet stretches in a stage corner before a performance at the National Theatre in Prague on Dec. 16.

— Martin Divisek / EPA
Image: Dancers warm up backstage while their fellow company members dance in Prague on Dec. 16.

Dancers warm up backstage in Prague on Dec. 16.

— Martin Divisek / EPA
Image: Dancers apply make-up and add the finishing touches to their stage costumes in the performers' backstage wardrobe in Prague on Dec. 16.

Dancers apply make-up and add the finishing touches to their stage costumes backstage in Prague on Dec. 16.

— Martin Divisek / EPA
Image: Stage technicians look over the performance as a dancer waits in the wings to join the other dancers on stage in Prague on Dec. 16.

Stage technicians look over the performance as a dancer waits in the wings to go on stage in Prague on Dec. 16.

— Martin Divisek / EPA
Image: Alex Grayson, Aaron Plous, Maria Kashvili, and Tenzin Niles rehearse in New York on Nov. 9, 2017.

Alex Grayson, Aaron Plous, Maria Kashvili, and Tenzin Niles rehearse in New York on Nov. 9, 2017. Friends and classmates at the School of American Ballet, Maria and Alex share the role of Marie in New York City Ballet's production of "George Balanchine's The Nutcracker."

— Andrew White / Redux Pictures
Image: Members of the Houston Ballet rehearse at their studio, in Houston in November.

Members of the Houston Ballet rehearse at their studio, in Houston in November. The company had to hold their performance at Smart Financial Centre and the Hobby Center this year, and gave 10 fewer performances than usual, because its home stage at the Wortham Theater Center was destroyed by Hurricane Harvey.

— Elizabeth Conley / Houston Chronicle via AP
Image: Cast members rehearse at the Miami City Ballet in Miami Beach, Florida on Nov. 10. Isabel and Ruben Toledo redesigned the classic production to reflect the spirit and temperature of Miami.

Cast members rehearse at the Miami City Ballet in Miami Beach, Florida on Nov. 10. Isabel and Ruben Toledo redesigned the classic production to reflect the spirit and temperature of Miami.

— Scott McIntyre / Redux Pictures
Image: Dancers perform on stage at the National theatre of Santo Domingo in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on Dec. 13.

Dancers perform at the National Theater in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on Dec. 13. Multiple dance companies participated in the show, including Ballet Nacional Dominicano, Escuela Nacional de Danza (Endanza) and Ballet Concierto Dominicano.

— Orlando Barria / EPA
Image: A dancer performs in Santo Domingo on Dec. 13.

A dancer performs in Santo Domingo on Dec. 13.

— Orlando Barria / EPA
Image: Dancers during a photocall for the Birmingham Royal Ballet's production of The Nutcracker at the Birmingham Royal Ballet on Nov. 24.

Dancers during a photocall for the Birmingham Royal Ballet's production of The Nutcracker at the Birmingham Royal Ballet on Nov. 24.

— Aaron Chown / Zuma Press
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