PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Paid Sponsor Partnership: Philadelphia Ballet

Leap into the magic of the holidays with Philadelphia Ballet.

"We're presenting the number one tradition here in Philadelphia," says Angel Corella, Artistic Director of Philadelphia Ballet. "George Balanchine's 'The Nutcracker.'"

Corella calls the classic story "a beautiful fairy tale."

"Really, really Christmassy," he says. "We love doing it."

Performances run through December 31 at the Academy of Music.

Dancers from both the professional company and children from the school start rehearsing about a month prior.

About 80 dancers of all ages share the stage.

"The first act mainly is the kids," says Corella. "And how they grow into being principal dancers, or doing the principal part, it's quite rewarding."

We m

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