Moscow Ballet’s 20th Anniversary production of the Great Russian Nutcracker overflows with a spectacular new “Dove of Peace” where 2 dancers become one stunning bird, a Christmas Tree that grows to 7 stories tall, a corps of 40 men and women, falling snow and Russian sleigh escorted by Father Christmas (Ded Moroz) and Snow Maiden (Snegurochka), towering silk puppets, 200 lavish costumes, and 9 hand-painted backdrops all set to Tchaikovsky’s complete score. For 20 years Great Russian Nutcracker performances have introduced the finest Russian ballerinas and danseurs to audiences across the country. From former Bolshoi soloist Stanislov Vlasov and partner Lilia Sabitova in 1993 to prima ballerina Marina Alexandrova and Vitaly Zabelin in 1996; danseur and upstart choreographer Anatolie Emelianov and Honored Artist of Russia Tatiana Predenia in 2002; IBC Gold Medalists Cristina and Alexei Terentiev in 2006; and acclaimed partners Alexandra Elagina and Anatolie Ustimov in 2010. From the press: “Bold and vital” Virginian-Pilot 1994; “Delight to watch” Washington Post 1996; “It was the Nutcracker… it was great,” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette 1999; "Whimsical, charming, vibrant classical style,” New York Times 2002; “Aristocratic finesse,” Cleveland Plain Dealer 2010; “Brimful with feeling…expansive” Chief Dance Critic New York Times 2010; and “Sheer splendor and elegant dancing” Baltimore Sun 2011. Great Russian Nutcracker - 20 years of acclaim, 20 years of soaring holiday spirit! www.nutcracker.com