(Left) Pacific Northwest Ballet Founding Artistic Directors Francia Russell and Kent Stowell. Photo © Angela Sterling. (Right) The breathtaking snow scene from Pacific Northwest Ballet's Stowell/Sendak Nutcracker. PNB's acclaimed production of Nutcracker runs December 7- 29, 2012 at Seattle Center 's McCaw Hall. Tickets are available online at pnb.org or by calling 206.441.2424. Photo © Angela Sterling. Nutcracker detail: PNB corps de ballet dancer Andrew Bartee, © Angela Sterling

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Kent Stowell & Francia Russell

Seattle’s Own Dream Team

When the curtains rise this month on Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Nutcracker, the effect is so magical and dreamlike, the dancing so effortless, it is easy to overlook the colossal effort behind this world famous production.