Moscow Ballet's GREAT RUSSIAN NUTCRACKER Returning to State Theatre, 12/12

Called "A Christmas tale from a faraway Land of Snow and Ice" by New York Times Dance Critic Brian Seibert in 2014, Moscow Ballet's principal dancers and production values keep raising the ante for a performance experience that engage audiences of all ages in small towns to top demographic markets.

Moscow Ballet's production of the Great Russian Nutcracker will be in Easton at the State Theatre on Saturday, December 12 at 3:00pm and 7:00pm. Tickets are $43/$38 and $33 for children 12 and under and can be purchased by visiting the State Theatre Box Office, 453 Northampton Street, Easton, by calling 1-800-999-STATE, 610-252-3132 or online at www.statetheatre.org. Sponsored by B104, The Morning Call, 100.7 WLEV and The Express-Times. Part of the Family Series sponsored by Capital BlueCross.

Award-winning principal dancers Ekaterina BorHYPERLINK "http://www.nutcracker.com/about-mb/principal-artists/9-uncategorised/1194"tiakova and Akzhol Mussakhanov, hailing from one of the world's best ballet academies, deliver flawless performances. New in 2015 are set designs by Art Directors' Guild multi-award winner Carl Sprague, who has worked in the art department of more than 30 films, with a combined total of 22 Oscar wins, including best picture for "12 Years a Slave" and best production design for "The Grand Budapest Hotel". In addition Russian theatrical design meets American technology skill in Act I's Party Scene in the new magical Grandfather Clock. John Creech, American Prop Master for over a generation, is credited for creations from extravagant Fashion Week run-ways to ballet and Broadway stages. The 10 foot tall magical clock features a sculpted 3 ft tall owl whose wings open to a 5ft span and eyes light up as the clock strikes. Russian Designer Valentin HYPERLINK "http://www.nutcracker.com/about-mb/directors"Fedorov, of Chibaksari Opera House and graduate of Bolshoi Theater Design School, created Moscow Ballet's fanciful 10" tall animal puppets, backdrops with 3-d effect and more. New costumes for Act I designed by Resident Designer Arthur Oliver, known for his work nationally and at Shakespeare & Company, are created by hand in St Petersburg by one of the world's oldest theatrical shops.

Carl Sprague - whose imaginative design work can be seen in The Age of Innocence, Amistad and Grand Budapest Hotel to name a few - created an Act I Party Scene (pictured) that includes a Grand Salon with wall panels of iconic Russian scenes foreshadowing the story to come. In Act II the new, romantic Waltz of the Flowers design creates a deep perspective reminiscent of the gardens of the Grand Palace of Peterhof. Carl Sprague comments, "This was not my first Nutcracker, so I thoroughly enjoyed the different take of the Russian-ness of it, and the demand for authenticity of the setting. I am very pleased with the Russian scene shop's rendering of my designs."

Veteran celebrity costume designer Arthur Oliver recently returned from St Petersburg, Russia where he oversaw his newest creations being hand sewn by experienced Russian artisans. New in 2015 is Act I party attire for Mayor Stahlbaum's annual Christmas Eve Ball. Oliver uses rich fabrics adorned with intricate detailing to convey the characters' statuses, "My task was to create the Act One Party scene for Masha, Fritz and pals, the adults and Uncle Drosselmeyer. This party reflects the social levels of the guests including family and military officers and the status of Father Stahlbaum as mayor who is hosting the most anticipated party of the year." Oliver has worked with a number of A-list celebrities including Raquel Welch, Alicia Silverstone and Keanu Reeves.

Ekaterina Bortiakova performs Great Russian Nutcracker heroine Masha, aka Clara in many US versions. Bortiakova graduated 4 years early from Jalil State Choreographic School after just six years of training. At 16 she won an award from Vaganova-Prix International Ballet Competition in St Petersburg and in 2001 she was awarded "Artistic Inspiration" at Kazan International Ballet Competition. A year later she received best "Arabesque" as well as "Best Partnering" award with partner Akshol Mussakhanov at the International Ballet Competition in Perm. "Bortiakova...as Masha...danced with powerful vibrancy and emotion." Bethesda D.C. Metro Theater and Arts, Wendi Winters, 12/18/14.

To post a comment, you must register and login.