Kirov Ballet dances ‘The Nutcracker’

The Kirov Ballet has come to town to dance the sentimental holiday classic “The Nutcracker,” written for the troupe 116 years ago. Taking the stage in the production at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles are Fyodor Lopukhov as Drosselmeyer and principal dancer Evgenia Obraztsova as Masha. (Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times)

Sept. 16, 2014 10:53 AM PT

The Kirov Ballet performs “The Nutcracker” at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles

The magic of the season puts glitter in the steps of Vladimir Shklyarov as the Prince, in an emotion-filled scene with Evgenia Obraztsova. (Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times)

Drosselmeyer (Fyodor Lopukhov) leads the children (cast from the Yuri Grigoriev School of Ballet in Los Angeles) in a lively party scene. (Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times)