Photo Flash: First Look at Russian Ballet's GREAT RUSSIAN NUTCRACKER

Alternating principal dancers highlight Russian ballet prowess and beauty on Moscow Ballet North American Eastern Tour of the Great Russian Nutcracker and two performances of Swan Lake. Returning principals Ekaterina Bortiakova and Akshol Mussakhanov perform lead roles with precision, high energy and charm. Ekaterina Bortiakova was described as "Epitome of a classical ballerina...to say that I was impressed would be an extreme understatement. Her performance was flawless," by Alt Daily, Virginia Beach VA. Honored Artist of Ukraine, Viktor Shcherbakov returns from his 2013 Moscow Ballet premiere with partner Ekaterina Tikhonova in her first appearance as principal Masha. In addition the company of 40 dancers perform Olympic-worthy leaps in the holiday performance for families with magical toys, falling snow and a growing Christmas tree. In Manhatten Thanksgiving weekend on Sat, Nov 30, 4:00 and 8:00pm at Hammerstein Ballroom. For tickets go to www.nutcracker.com . Check out a first look below!

Ekaterina Tikhonova premieres with Moscow Ballet in 2013 as principal partnering award-winning Viktor Shcherbakov and having danced in several earlier Moscow Ballet North American tours. Ekaterina's reviews from earlier Moscow Ballet tours ..."Sumptuous, limbs moving like quicksilver" from Texas' Margaret Putman and "Astounded by Moscow Ballet's Ekaterina Tichinova...given a standing ovation" Clarion-Ledger, Jackson MS - home the only North American IBC. She is also principal soloist with the Glinka State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater in Chelyabinsk Russia. Ekaterina is a rising star ballerina dancing classical lead roles such as Kitri in Don Quixote, Odette and Odile in Swan Lake, Giselle in Giselle and Nikiya in La Bayadere. Ekaterina is a graduate of the Perm State Choreographic College of which former students comprise some of the brightest stars of Russian and world ballet including Moscow Ballet's own Tatyana Predeina, praised by NY Times Anna Kisselgoff, among many others.

Viktor Shcherbakov, at just 10 years, was invited to join Kiev National Ballet Academy and at 15 he joined the John Cranko Ballet Academy in Stuttgart, 5 years later Viktor was invited to join State Theater of Stuttgart as semi-soloist. In 2004, Viktor returned to Ukraine as Principal Dancer for the Kiev National Opera and Ballet Theatre. There he received the Diploma & People's Choice Award of the 1996 Serge Lifar International Ballet Competition and is the youngest competitor to do so. In 2010 he was made Honored Artist of Ukraine and in 2012 received the Ukrainian National Prize named "Anatole Shekera in Choreography" Merit. Viktor's repertoire includes principal roles in the classic ballets in addition to Russian greats and ballets staged by Shekera: Spartacus, Stone Flower Legend of Love, and many more.

"Ekaterina Bortiakova returns to Moscow Ballet's North American tour in 2013 as principal dancer "Masha" with partner Akshol Mussakhanov as "Nutcracker Prince" on the East tour. Born in Kazan, Ekaterina graduated from the Jalil State Choreographic School in 1998, after just six years. At 16 she won a coveted Vaganova-Prix International Ballet Competition in St Petersburg and in 2001 she was awarded "Artistic Inspiration" at Kazan International Ballet Competition. At International Ballet Competition in Perm she was awarded "Best Arabesque" and "Best Partnering" with partner Akshol Mussakhanov.

Akzhol Mussakhanov, native of Almaty, the largest cultural center in Kazakhstan, performs the Nutcracker Prince in Moscow Ballet's 2013 tour. He is a 2001 graduate of the Jalil State Choreographic School of Kazan and, upon graduation, was invited to be soloist at Jalil State Opera and Ballet Theatre. Akzhol has danced for the State Opera and Ballet Theatre in Odessa, Ukraine and as principal at Swansea Ballet Russe. He has competed at International Ballet Competition in Moscow (2001); Serge Lifar International Ballet Competition in Kiev (2004), and participated in the Festival of Independence of Kazakhstan(2006).

Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker is comprised of award-winning principals and corps de ballet who perform Olympic-worthy leaps, lifts and pirouettes in the classic holiday ballet. To the delight of audiences of all ages, the artists bring humor, charm, athletic prowess and Russian flair to Tchaikovsky's timeless score. The ballet dramatizes the traditional story of Masha meeting her "Prince" and, exclusive to Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker, adds a tribute to world peace as well. The "Dove of Peace," for which 2 dancers become one bird with a 20 foot wingspan, escorts Masha and Prince to the "Land of Peace and Harmony" where ambassadors from Hispanic, African, Russian, Asian, and European heritages entertain and offer symbolic gifts in the form of playful silk puppets. The 2013 production includes 200 all new, hand-embellished costumes designed by Shakespearean expert Arthur Oliver and created in St Petersburg's oldest theatrical costume shop. Celebrate the beauty of the holidays and the best of Russian ballet in one grand production of Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker! www.nutcracker.com

Photo Credit: Moscow Ballet

Troika sleigh - Shatkovskaya and Tkachenko

Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker - Russian Variation - Girl

Moscow Balletâ€s Elena Petrachenko soars as a Moor Doll in Act I

Moscow Ballet Snowflakes

Kissy Doll Dancing in the Great Russian Nutcracker

Karyna Shatkovskaya as Masha

Moscow Ballet 20th Anniversary Dove of Peace, 2 dancers, 1 bird - 11

Moscow Ballet 20th Anniversary Dove of Peace, 2 dancers, 1 bird - 5

Chinese Variation in Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker

Kissy Doll and Uncle Drosselmeyer

Olga Kifyak as Masha, alongside Viktor Shcherbakov as her Nutcracker Prince

Harlequin

Arabian high lift

Viktor Shcherbakov and Olga Kifyak

Waltz of the Flowers

Russian Dancer High Kick

Anastasia Homitcaia French Variation

Chinese Arabesque

Dove of Peace-Two Dancers Become One

GREAT RUSSIAN NUTCRACKER

Karyna Shatkovskaya in Grand Jete & Vladimir Tkachenko