Moscow ballet presenting ‘The Nutcracker’ at Missouri Theater
You don’t have to be a dance aficionado to enjoy the Moscow Ballet’s “Great Russian Nutcracker” Tuesday, Nov. 20, at the Missouri Theater.
The “Nutcracker” is a holiday classic that has been a hit with audiences since it was first performed in 1892 at the Mariinsky Theatre of Russia.
“People are excited,” says Beth Sharp, associate director with the Performing Arts Association. “It’s like the Christmas thing to do.”
Anatoli Emelianov’s “Great Russian Nutcracker” has all the makings of a special treat for all ages. The magic begins with a fairy tale story of a simple girl transformed into a beautiful ballerina and saved from an evil mouse king by a nutcracker prince. The stage will be transformed into a child’s fantasy with the “Land of Sweets” and an enchanted forest wonderland with dancing snowflakes. Throughout the show is Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s classic music. “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” has become a holiday standard. Add to that some spectacular costumes and sets designed by Valentin Fedorov and Evgenei Gurenko featuring dancing, larger-than-life puppets and a backdrop of unicorns, exotic birds and animals.
And of course, there are the dancers.
“They are truly Russian dancers and Russian-trained, which makes them extremely amazing dancers,” says Marla Heeler, instructor at the Dance Arts Center of St. Joseph.
Dancers include ballet legends Nadia Pavlova and “Peoples’ Artists of the USSR’s” Ludmila Semenyaka and Glaina Mezentseva. The Moscow Ballet also will be joined by 43 local dancers from age 6 to 16. They auditioned at The Dance Arts Center and worked with one of the Moscow Ballet’s dancers to prepare for the performance.
“For our kids, it’s such an amazing opportunity,” Heeler says, “both dance-wise and culturally.”
Tickets are available only through the Missouri Theater and are not being sold online. Prices range from $25 to $65, depending on seating. The box office will be open one hour before showtime. For more information, call 279-1225.
SEe IT
What: The Moscow Ballet’s “Great Russian Nutcracker”
When: 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 20
Where: Missouri Theater, 719 Edmond St., 279-1225
Tickets: $25 to $65 available only at Missouri Theater
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