2017 - Official text for Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker
Website and E-blast blurb - 85 words 496 characters
Celebrate this Christmas with the experience taking North America by storm! Marking the 25 th
N American Anniversary Tour in 2017, Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker features
over-the-top production values and world class Russian artists. Larger than life puppets and
nesting dolls, and gloriously hand-crafted costumes bring the Christmas spirit to life. Gather
the family and see why the press raves “Knock Out!” – New York Times, “Christmas Cheer!” –
LA Times. Get the best seats today and make memories of a lifetime at Moscow Ballet’s Great
Russian Nutcracker www.nutcracker.com.
Box Office staff – VERBAL - 128 words 719 characters
Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker is a Christmas story and is appropriate for all ages.
The performance features up to 40 Russian dancers and stunning choreography. There are
playful puppets, many colorful backdrops and over 200 costumes which are hand-made in
Russia. Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker has been a holiday tradition in North
America for 25 years! New York Times raves, “Knock Out!” and Los Angeles Times says,
“Christmas Cheer!”
The performance is 2 hours long which includes a 20 minute intermission. All ages must have
a ticket to enter. (3 and under is not recommended) The performance includes Tchaikovsky’s
complete Nutcracker score which is performed by the Moscow Festival Orchestra, taped
exclusively for Moscow Ballet. Latecomers are seated 20 minutes after curtain. www.nutcracker.com for more information.
Press Release GRN copy – 346 words 2055 characters
The one and only Moscow Ballet Great Russian Nutcracker returns to your city in 2017. All
ages are invited to celebrate Christmas with the Moscow Ballet company of almost 40
ballerinas and danseurs on their 25th Anniversary Tour of North America in 2017. Moscow
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Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker is known for its award-winning Principal Dancers, lavish
costumes in the style of the Victorian era, many 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 enjoy the special effects of the flapping winged owl on the
Grandfather clock, the growing 50 ft tall Christmas Tree, the Dove of Peace with a 20ft
wingspan, and of course, the leaps, spins, and extraordinary moves of the company all
performed to Tchaikovsky’s complete and incomparable score.
For 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 Great
Russian Nutcracker... experience of a lifetime.[witnessed by] the ovation and swells of
applause that spontaneously broke out all over,” Broadway World, 2016. The Principal
Dancers also 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," from Cleveland Plain Dealer. Canada’s Stephan Bonfield,
Calgary Herald writes, “Great Russian Nutcracker …resplendently detailed, colourful
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.”
Tickets start at $30.00. Platinum Experience tickets feature artist Meet N Greet and branded
gift items; Gold Circle Gift Packages include branded gift items. Groups of ten or more and Girl
Scout troops receive discounts, call 800-320-1733. Discounts for Seniors 65+, Active and
Inactive Armed Services, and Motorclub members are available from
www.nutcracker.com/buy-tickets
Moscow Ballet – 212 words 1299 characters
Nutcracker.com | p: 413.499.1733 | f: 413.499.3820 SMI Inc. 27 East Housatonic St., Pittsfield MA, 01201
Moscow Ballet – 2017 marks Moscow Ballet’s 25th consecutive year touring North America performing the acclaimed story ballets the 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 6000 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 connect the
Russian dancers directly with American children and young adults. In addition, many Moscow
Ballet performances have a fund raising component with not-for-profit organizations such as hospitals, not-for-profit organizations, Children’s Museums and more.
www.moscowballet.com.
Playbill synopsis – 220 words 1170 characters
Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker opens with magical Uncle Drosselmeyer preparing
the life-sized toys he will bring to Mayor Stalhbaum’s Christmas Eve party. When he arrives,
Masha, brother Fritz and friends are delighted! Masha loves her gift of the Nutcracker Doll, but
all too soon mischievous Fritz breaks it! Heartbroken, Masha sleeps, an army of mice and the
Rat King with the brave Nutcracker who defeats them with the help is Masha! The Nutcracker
Prince and Masha journey through the Snow Forest meeting Russian folk legends Ded Moroz
(Father Christmas) and Snegurochka (Snow Maiden) who escort them to the Land of Peace
and Harmony. (There is a 20 minute Intermission.)
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In Act II’s Land of Peace and Harmony the stunning 2-person Dove of Peace dances,
welcoming Masha and Nutcracker Prince and a great celebration ensues! Emissaries from the
world’s great cultures, Hispanic, African, Asian, European and Slavic, perform in honor of
Masha and Nutcracker Prince. Playful animals, also from around the world, appear and
represent gifts for Masha. The Hispanic bulls offer daring, African elephants wisdom and lions
pride, Asian dragon playfulness, Slavic bears strength and European unicorns kindness.
Masha and Nutcracker Prince are entertained by the Waltz of the Flowers and dance a grand
Pas de Deux as their gift in return. Was the night all a dream? www.nutcracker.com.
Social Media
Facebook (facebook.com/nutcracker),
Twitter (@MoscowBallet) ,
Instagram moscow_ballet
Pinterest (pinterest.com/moscowballet)
Youtube (www.youtube.com/user/moscowballet)
Marketing materials and downloadable hi-res images: www.nutcracker.com/promo
Nutcracker.com | p: 413.499.1733 | f: 413.499.3820 SMI Inc. 27 East Housatonic St., Pittsfield MA, 01201