La Mirada Theatre Presents Moscow Ballet's GREAT RUSSIAN NUTCRACKER 12/19

The Moscow Ballet is set to perform its GREAT RUSSIAN NUTCRACKER at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts on December 19, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

World-renowned Moscow Ballet is celebrating its 18th annual tour of the GREAT RUSSIAN NUTCRACKER tour by performing in over 50 cities across the U.S. and Canada.

About the GREAT RUSSIAN NUTCRACKER:
Featuring spectacular sets and beautifully costumed Russian dancers, Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker is a holiday treat for the whole family. Whimsical and imaginative storytelling blends with the richness of Russian classical dance to make the Great Russian Nutcracker a unique performance not to be missed!

Choreographer Anatoli Emelianov has been praised by critics for his unique setting of Act II in the "Land of Peace and Harmony." To convey his message of peace, Emelianov incorporates an ethereal dove that escorts Masha and the Prince to a land where there is no war and suffering.

Set against Valentin Fedorov's spectacular scenic design, with dancing, larger-than-life puppets and hand-painted backdrops of unicorns, exotic birds and animals, Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker is a visual delight.

This year's tour stars the world's premiere ballet couple, Cristina and Alexei Terentiev. The cast features luminaries of the Perm, Vaganova, Moscow State Academic Choreographic and Kiev schools.

About the principal dancers:

Cristina Terentiev, hailing from the capital city of Moldova, dances to acclaim around the world and boasts prestigious recognition and awards. Most recently Cristina won the Gold Medal, 1st award of 23rd International Ballet Competition in Varna 2008. There she also won Award for Original Contemporary Choreography by Radu Poklitaru, a Special Notice Award and an Award from Sansha, the General Sponsor of the event. Cristina started her ballet studies at the Choreographic School of Chisinau in 1991 and in 1994 received her first award from the Minkus Association and, two years later, she won second prize in the International Ballet Competition in Constanta, Romania. In1998 she received an award in Varna, Bulgaria which was handed to her by primaballerinas assoluta N. Bessmertnova and N. Makarova, members of the jury. Cristina has also been acknowledged by the international organization Diagelev Association. In 2000 Cristina graduated school and became leading ballerina for the National Opera and Ballet Theatre of Moldova. There she directs the repertoire with husband Alexei, also a leading dancer. She is a former principal dancer with the Atlantic Ballet Theatre in Canada. In addition to the GREAT RUSSIAN NUTCRACKER, her repertoire includes principal roles in DON QUIXOTE, SWAN LAKE, SLEEPING BEAUTY, NUTCRACKER, GISELLE, LA SYLPHIDE, CHOPINIANA, LA FILLE MAL GARDEE, PAQUITA and COPPELIA.

Alexei Terentiev dances the roles of the Nutcracker Prince of the GREAT RUSSIAN NUTCRACKER and Prince Siegfried in SWAN LAKE. Born in 1976, Moldova Alexei began his raining at the age of 10 at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy, in the class of Peter Korogodsky. He continued his training at Moldavian State Choreographic School graduating in 1993 and has been a leading dancer with the Moldavian National Opera and Ballet Theatre since then. In 2008 he was awarded Best Partnership and Original Contemporary Choreography by Radu Poklitaru at the 23rd International Ballet Competition in Varna, with partner and wife Cristina Terentieva. Alexei also won Gold in the Senior Men`s Division for dancing Pas de Deux in 1995 at the Danovsky Ballet Competition in Constanta, Romania and a Special Award for the Highest Jump, and he has received an award from the distinguished Diagilev Center. He tours extensively through Europe with the Moldavian National Opera and Ballet Theatre and his repertoire includes principal roles in DON QUIXOTE, SWAN LAKE, SLEEPING BEAUTY, NUTCRACKER, GISELLE, LA SILPHYDE, CHOPINIANA, THE WAYWARD DAUGHTER, PAQUITA and COPPELIA.

Vladimir Troschenko (Ballet Master) graduated with honors from the Vaganova Academy, the school of the Kirov/Mariinsky Theater located in St. Petersburg, Russia. He is an honors graduate of The Moscow State Academy of Choreography, one of the oldest and most prestigious ballet schools in the world. Legendary as a dance partner, Troschenko was selected by acclaimed Russian primaballerinas as a partner, including Nadia Pavlova, Ludmilla Seminyaka and Galina Mezentseva. Troschenko, who is from the Mediterranean influenced port city of Odessa on the Black Sea, continues the grand style of Russian classical ballet bridging the classical era with Russia's new generation of dancers. Akiva Talmi, founder and producer of Moscow Ballet, says, "Vladimir is a pure classicist. He is an impeccable Ballet Master who always makes his dancers look sublime."

About Moscow Ballet:

Moscow Ballet continues its commitment to making a difference in the arts. The Company
has local children audition in each market to appear with the Russian dancers on the tours. Last year, more than 6,000 children in North America performed with Moscow Ballet as part of its educational outreach campaign, "Celebrating Children...The Arts Can Make a Difference."

This year's La Mirada Theatre performances will feature over 30 ballet students and is being coordinated by Hart Academy of Dance in La Habra, CA.

For a truly special holiday experience, La Mirada Theatre introduces its VIP and Platinum VIP Print ticket packages for the Great Russian Nutcracker. The Platinum VIP Print package includes a choice of the exclusive limited-edition, high-quality giclée prints of original artwork created by contemporary Russian masters from the St. Petersburg Academy of Art as well as a Meet and Greet with a Moscow Ballet soloist, preferred parking and a Members Benefits card. Both ticket packages include the best, centered seats and special Moscow Ballet souvenir holiday gifts.

Ticket prices for Moscow Ballet's GREAT RUSSIAN NUTCRACKER are $25 - $70. Children 12 and under save 25%. VIP Ticket packages are available for $120 and Platinum VIP Print Packages are available for $350. Tickets to this limited engagement event are now available by calling the Box Office at 562-944-9801 or 714-994-6310 or online at www.lamiradatheatre.com.

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS is located at 14900 La Mirada Boulevard in La Mirada, Parking is free.

For more information about Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker, Please visit: www.nutcracker.com.

La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, now in its fourth decade, has been hailed by the Los Angeles Times as "one of the best Broadway-style houses in Southern California." This beautiful state-of-the-Art Theatre has been producing quality productions for its Southern California audiences since 1977. The theatre has produced several national tours and is the recipient of many accolades including Ovation and Emmy Awards and Tony Award nominations. Brian Kite is the theatre's Producing Artistic Director. The theatre is located at 14900 La Mirada Boulevard in La Mirada, California, near the intersection of Rosecrans Avenue. Parking is theatre-adjacent and free. For further information call 562-944-9801 or visit www.lamiradatheatre.com.