The McCallum Theatre Presents Moscow Ballet's GREAT RUSSIAN NUTCRACKER

The McCallum Theatre presents Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcrackeron Monday, December 17, at 7:00pm. All ages are invited to celebrate Christmas with the Moscow Ballet company of almost 40 ballerinas and danseurs. Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker is known for its award-winning principal dancers, lavish costumes in the style of the Victorian era, backdrops created by La La Land Set Concept designer Carl Sprague, and its Russian focus, including life-sized Matryoshka Dolls, Russian folk legends Ded Moroz (Father Christmas) and Snegurochka (Snow Maiden) and Troika Sleigh. Adults and children will enjoy the special effects of the flapping winged owl on the Grandfather clock, the growing 50' tall Christmas Tree, the Dove of Peace with a 20' wingspan, and, of course, the leaps, spins, and extraordinary moves of the company all performed to Tchaikovsky's complete and incomparable score.

For more than twenty-five years, Moscow Ballet has been consistently embraced by audiences and the press on their North American tours. "The Russians remain the principal keepers of the classical ballet tradition" (Eric Harrison, Arkansas Democrat Gazette, 2016). The Principal Dancers receive accolades, "Danced exquisitely by Ekaterina Bortiakova, her technical prowess, especially in her footwork and turns, coupled with an endearing smile and girlish innocence, was truly great," (Cleveland Plain Dealer 2014.) Canada's Stephan Bonfield, with the Calgary Herald,writes, "Great Russian Nutcracker, resplendently detailed, colorful production, technically supreme dancing, dazzling moments, authentically opulent and beautifully detailed costumes." The New York Times Chief Dance Critic Alastair Macaulay, 2010, sums it up, "The Russian ballet style is expansive, elegantly generous, and so the experience is never meager."

2017 marked the Moscow Ballet's 25th consecutive year touring North America performing the acclaimed story ballets Great Russian Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Romeo and Juliet, Cinderella, and more. The company is known for presenting award-winning ballerinas and danseurs, from Lilia Sabitova in 1994, to Honored Artist of Russia Tatiana Predenia in 2002, to Andrey Batalov, former Principal Danseur with the Mariinsky Theatre in 2016. The company performs more than 100 engagements annually across Canada and the United States to sell-out audiences in the some of the finest performing arts venues. In addition to public performances, Moscow Ballet's North America tours have always included community engagement programs. "Dance with Us" shares the Russian Vaganova ballet training with over 6,000 American dance students annually bringing them on stage in ancillary roles to perform side-by-side with the professionals. Underwritten by Moscow Ballet, the program was developed by choreographer and co-producer Mary Giannone Talmi. "New Horizons - A Children's Program for Life" is a cultural immersion program benefitting thousands of children across the country annually and Musical Wunderkind also connects the Russian dancers directly with American children and young adults. In addition, many Moscow Ballet performances have a fund-raising component for organizations such as hospitals, children's museums, and more.

Talmi Entertainmen is the exclusive representation for Moscow Ballet's North American Tours which occur annually in more than 100 cities, from New York City to Los Angeles, and Miami to Calgary. Under Talmi Entertainment management, Moscow Ballet delivers unparalleled Russian artistry in the classic story ballets Great Russian Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Swan Lake, and more. Talmi Entertainment was founded by award-winning Juilliard School alumnus, composer, conductor and producer, Akiva Talmi.

Great Russian Nutcracker is performed to recorded music.

www.nutcracker.com
www.moscowballet.com
www.talmientertainment.com

Tickets for this performance are priced at $88, $68, $58 and $38. Tickets are available at the Theatre's website at www.mccallumtheatre.com or by calling the McCallum Theatre Box Office at (760) 340-2787.