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Backstage With the NYC Ballet's Iconic Nutcracker Costumes

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Photos: Driely S. for Racked

An unusual quiet has descended upon the David H. Koch Theater: On Friday, November 28th, the New York City Ballet will premiere its 60th annual production of George Balanchine's The Nutcracker, though you wouldn't know it upon entering the building. This is one of the few weeks of the year when the cast and crew can take a collective breather before Lincoln Center is sacrificed to the Christmas crowds.

The costume department, however, is buzzing. With the finalized cast list's arrival only last Tuesday, the small team of wardrobe specialists must repair and tailor all the costumes to fit the new dancers in just two weeks. Like every year since the show premiered, the performers will wear Barbara Karinska's original designs (though no—the costumes are not the same ones worn 60 years ago).

Join us on our backstage tour for an up-close peek at the iconic costumes—including toy soldiers, snowflakes, the Land of Sweets' Spanish hot chocolate and marzipan, and of course, the Sugar Plum Fairy.

· NYCB [Official Site]
· How Ballerina Sara Mearns Puts On Her Stage Makeup [Racked NY]
· New York City Ballet [Racked NY]