Moscow Ballet's GREAT RUSSIAN NUTCRACKER Comes To The Fox Theatre 12/19

The Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker will return to the Fox Theatre On Sunday, December 19 at 3 p.m. following their sold out 2009 performance.

Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker stars principal artists Ekaterina Bortyakova as Masha and Akzhol Mussokhanov as the Nutcracker Prince. Spectacular scenic design, sumptuous costumes, and the exquisite artistry of 40 top Russian artists have made the Great Russian Nutcracker an American holiday tradition not to be missed. Critically acclaimed for its unique setting of Act II in the "Land of Peace and Harmony", the Great Russian Nutcracker entertains all with new characters and larger than life puppets, all set against a stunning backdrop of unicorns, exotic birds and animals. An ethereal Dove, a messenger of peace, leads Masha and the Nutcracker to the peaceful kingdom. Beloved Russian fairytale characters, Father Christmas and his granddaughter the Snow Maiden, add to the outstanding dancing and the whimsical and imaginative storytelling that sets this Nutcracker apart.

For a truly special Christmas experience Moscow Ballet introduces its Platinum Seating and Gift promotion. Platinum ticket buyers receive a limited edition fine art print created by contemporary Russian masters from the St. Petersburg Academy of Art. These stunning first edition prints were newly commissioned to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Marius Petipa's life. Renowned as the creator of Swan Lake and The Nutcracker, Petipa is revered as the "Father of Russian Ballet". Platinum Seating includes front row* centered seats, a backstage Meet and Greet, gourmet chocolates, preferred parking and a Platinum Member's Benefit Card for purchases at www.nutcracker.com. Only seven pairs of platinum tickets per performance are available! Last year's performance was a complete sell-out. Visit http://www.nutcracker.com/premium.php for information on Platinum, VIP or discount tickets.

Moscow Ballet - 2010 North American Tour
Two simultaneous tours of the Great Russian Nutcracker and Swan Lake will visit 70 cities in the United States and Canada in November and December 2010. Ballet Masters for the 2010 tour are Vladimir Troschenko (western tour) and Anatoli Emelianov (eastern tour). For tickets and more information go to www.nutcracker.com.

Moscow Ballet - History
Moscow Ballet is known for its annual, touring Great Russian Nutcracker and full-length productions of the classic story-ballets; Swan Lake, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and others. Created by award-winning Juilliard alumnus, composer/conductor and theatrical producer, Akiva Talmi, the organization evolved out of Talmi's all-star Russian "Glasnost Festival Tour" (1986-92). Moscow Ballet made its debut in 1993 with the Great Russian Nutcracker which was directed and choreographed by soloist Stanislav Vlasov of the famous Russian Bolshoi Theatre. In 1994, Moscow Ballet invited the Moscow State Theatre Of Natalia Sats, and the theatre's full orchestra, to expand the company to an 88-artist tour which was billed as the "19th Century Classical Nutcracker." In 2003, Moscow Ballet announced the appointment of Anatoly Emelianov, winner of the Diagelev award, and Vladimir Troshchenko, director of Odessa State Ballet and a pivotal figure in the ballet world, as co-artistic directors. Moscow Ballet continues to feature top graduates of Perm, Vaganova, Moscow State Academic Choreographic and Kiev schools in its productions.

Tickets ($27.50, $37.50, $47.50, $67.50, $87.50, $120.00 and $350.00) go on sale at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 12 and may be purchased at OlympiaEntertainment.com, the Fox Theatre and Joe Louis Arena box offices, Hockeytown Authentics in Troy (without service charge) at all Ticketmaster locations and Ticketmaster.com. and www.nutcracker.com. To charge tickets by phone, call (800) 745-3000. Groups of 10+ save; call (313) 471-3099. For additional information, call (313) 471-6611.