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

Nutcracker.com | p: 413.499.1733 | f: 413.499.3820 SMI Inc. 27 East Housatonic St., Pittsfield MA, 01201

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