"The Nutcracker" takes stage in Beijing to celebrate Chinese New Year

BEIJING, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- The National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA) will stage "The Nutcracker" on Friday and Saturday to celebrate the Chinese New Year.

The ballet, featuring a score by renowned Russian composer Tchaikovsky, first debuted in 1892.

The ballet will be performed by the Guangzhou Ballet, which was established in 1994 and is headed by famed dancer Zhang Dandan.

The Chinese New Year will begin on Feb. 16, according to the Chinese lunar calendar.