School of Russian Ballet offers two 'Nutcracker' performances

There's more to the "The Nutcracker" ballet than sugar plum fairies and white sparkling tutus.

Ballet groups, such as East County's School of Russian Ballet, prepare for weeks for the show, one of the school's biggest productions of the year.

Hours of rehearsals and repeating the same routines until they're perfect are efforts culminated by just two performances.

To assist with preparations for the 2015 shows, held at 4 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Sarasota Opera House, and at 4 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Venice Performing Arts Center, the studio is bringing in foreign re-enforcement.

Russian ballerina Olga Pavlova, who has toured in more than 30 countries and has performed with various ballet companies, is visiting the school this week to help dancers prepare for their performances. 

Although she's only in town for a few days, Pavlova will have a packed schedule of all-day rehearsals.

"She has danced with the Imperial Russian Ballet and Moscow Classical Ballet," said Darya Fedotova, director at the School of Russian Ballet. "She's amazing."

To buy tickets to the show, click here or here.