2015 Official text for Moscow ’s Great Russian Nutcracker

Website and E-blast blurb - 75 words

Bring the whole family for the sweetest Christmas celebration of the season! Experience the exquisite artistry of world-class Russian dancers, playful puppets and the unmatched splendor of hand crafted sets and costumes. Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker is the holiday tradition that brings the Christmas spirit to life! New York Times raves, “Real beauty!” and Los Angeles Times, “Bravura expertise!” Get your seats now for Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece at www.nutcracker.com

Box Office staff – verbal 101 words

We invite patrons of all ages to bring the whole family for the sweetest Christmas celebration of the season! Experience the exquisite artistry of world-class Russian dancers, playful puppets and the unmatched splendor of hand crafted sets and costumes. Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker is the holiday tradition that brings the Christmas spirit to life! New York Times raves, “Real beauty!” and Los Angeles Times, “Bravura expertise!” Get your seats now for Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece at www.nutcracker.com

The show is 2 hours long with a 20 minute intermission with a gift store with Moscow Ballet branded items. Latecomers are seated 20 minutes after curtain and all patrons must have a ticket, the performance not recommended for 2 years and under. www.nutcracker.com

Press Release copy – 359 words The ultimate holiday tradition for the youngest to the seniors in the family, seeing Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker creates holiday memories that last a lifetime. Moscow Ballet’s company of almost 40 dancers is the only internationally touring ballet group to perform to critical acclaim in over 75 North American cities annually. The renowned, award-winning principal dancers and corps de ballet thrill audiences with their expertise, dramatic expression and stunning leaps, turns and drops. The production is known for its dedication to world peace naming Act II the “Land of Peace and Harmony” and featuring a cannon that shoots roses and a stunning opening act the 2 dancer “Dove of Peace” with a 20’ wingspan. All ages feel the spirit of the season at Great Russian Nutcracker performances through the romantic costumes, shimmering backdrops with authentic splashes of Russian history and fanciful effects such as; life-sized Matrushka (Nesting) Dolls; a 3-headed Rat King and a trip on a Nutcracker.com | p: 413.499.1733 | f: 413.499.3820 SMI Inc. 27 East Housatonic St., Pittsfield MA, 01201

Troika Sleigh through the magical Snow Forest (with falling snow) escorted by Father Christmas and Snow Maiden. For tickets call tbd 800-555-5555 or go to www.nutcracker.com/buy-tickets.

Moscow Ballet - In addition to the Great Russian Nutcracker, Moscow Ballet repertory includes classic , Sleeping Beauty, Romeo and Juliet, Cinderella and more. For 20 years the company has featured award-winning and rising star dancers, from Lilia Sabitova in 1994 to Alisa Voronova in 2014. The company performs 100 engagements annually in North America including 15 of the top twenty demographic markets. Moscow Ballet receives critical acclaim and is regularly invited to present at National Press Club events. In addition to public performances, the company’s mission and national platform enables it to share the Russian Vaganova ballet training with over 5000 American students annually in Dance with Us. Intensive cultural immersion project “New Horizons – A Children’s Program for Life” benefits thousands of school children and programs Musical Wunderkind and Summer Intensives also touch the lives of many children and young adults. For over 20 years Moscow Ballet’s partnership with corporations and not-for-profit organizations such as the President’s Challenge Program and Children’s Hospitals has raised revenue for significant missions and causes. www.moscowballet.com.

Playbill synopsis – 174 words

Act I - Uncle Drosselmeyer puts finishing touches on toys for the children at Mayor Stalhbaum’s Christmas Eve party and arrives at the party with a puppet show, Harlequin, Kissy and Moor dolls and a special Nutcracker doll for Masha. Heartbroken when the doll is spoiled by brother Fritz, Masha falls asleep, mice scamper and the Nutcracker doll transforms into a prince! Nutcracker Prince and Masha journey through the Snow Forest, led by Russian folk legends Father Christmas and Snow Maiden, to the Land of Peace and Harmony. (There is a 20 minute Intermission.) Act 2 - The 2-dancer Dove of Peace welcomes Masha and Nutcracker to the land where people and animals live in Peace and Harmony. A great celebration is held in honor of the special guests and emissaries from many of the world’s great cultures perform : Hispanic, European, African, Asian and Russian. Masha and Nutcracker Prince respond with dancing a de deux after which Masha is led home by Uncle Drosselmeyer. Was the night all a dream? www.nutcracker.com.

2014 Quotes “Real beauty…good, precise dancing… well-trained cast,” New York Times

Nutcracker.com | p: 413.499.1733 | f: 413.499.3820 SMI Inc. 27 East Housatonic St., Pittsfield MA, 01201

“Great Russian Nutcracker…resplendently detailed, technically supreme dancing, dazzling moments, authentically opulent and beautifully detailed costumes,” Calgary Herald

“Best dancing…breathtaking” Cleveland Plain Dealer

“Petrichenko is a rubber-limbed human pretzel; Chumakov…a perfect sense of timing. Both sport an amazing set of abs.” D.C. Metro Theater and Arts

“4-star performance …inspires awe,” Twin Cities Daily Planet

“[Dove of Peace]…a sight to behold…caused the audience to gasp in awe. San Antonio Express- News

“Filled with Macy’s-sized animals…marvelously precise dancing …beautiful costumes,” Sioux City Journal

Social Media

Follow Facebook (facebook.com/nutcracker), Twitter (@MoscowBallet) ,

(pinterest.com/moscowballet) and Youtube (www.youtube.com/user/moscowballet)

Marketing materials and downloadable hi-res images: www.nutcracker.com/promo

Nutcracker.com | p: 413.499.1733 | f: 413.499.3820 SMI Inc. 27 East Housatonic St., Pittsfield MA, 01201