The New York Ballet opened its annual season of the Nutcracker Friday night and it's a holiday tradition at Lincoln Center. The Nutcracker runs through December 30.
You know the holiday season is here when there's a slight chill in the air, decorations start going up, everyone seems to be shopping and its opening night of the Nutcracker at Lincoln Center.
For 58 years now, New York City Ballet's production of the Nutcracker has dazzled audiences at the iconic Lincoln Center.
"It is surreal, it's amazing!" said one attendee. "As soon as we stepped out of the cab -- my gosh, it's like I've seen in so many movies."
Crowds poured into the theater for opening night. Even the littlest of audience members couldn't wait to see their favorite part of the ballet.
"The dancing, the orchestra and seeing everything live," said one young attendee.
"I like when the mouse king battles the Nutcracker," added another young fan.
Fox 5 went backstage as final preparations were made. From the wardrobe designers counting costumes, to dancers perfecting steps -- but what would any Nutcracker performance be without the Sugar Plum Fairy.
"The first time I did this I was like ‘am I really doing this right now in New York City?'" said Maria Kowroski. "You know this famous production and every year you kind of get that overwhelming feeling. You know the music right before the Sugar Plum enters in her solo -- it's like this rush."
Kowroski has been the Sugar Plum Fairy for 15 years now. Even though she's a veteran fairy, she still gets butterflies on opening night.
"There's always little nerves. I think because of all of the new people. We've been rehearsing and you can see them get excited," said Kowroski.
Since this production of George Balanchine's the Nutcracker began over a half century ago, almost everything has remained the same: The choreography, the costume and set designs.
The Nutcracker truly is a timeless classic that continues to inspire all generations.
One young fan was asked what you want to be when you grow up, "I want to be a ballerina," she said.
If you missed this performance there are 46 more here until December 30th.
Friday, May 24 2013 12:43 PM EDT2013-05-24 16:43:54 GMT
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AP photo
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