The Moscow Classic Ballet’s The Nutcracker
Walton Arts Center announces the return of The Moscow Classic Ballet’s The Nutcracker. There will be four performances in Walton Arts Center’s Baum Walker Hall; Friday, December 21 at 7pm, Saturday, December 22 at 2pm & 7pm, and Sunday, December 23 at 2pm. Tickets range from $32 to $46 and can be purchased by calling the Walton Arts Center Box Office at 479.443.5600 or by visiting waltonartscenter.org.
The Moscow Classical Ballet is one of the few remaining ballet companies supported by the Russian Government. According to The New York Times, "The troupe boasts a cluster of phenomenal young dancers... and its corps performs in an uncluttered, streamlined style." Regularly performing at the Kremlin Palace of Congresses in Moscow, they have also performed in more than 30 countries around the world! They have toured their production of The Nutcracker every year for ten years, debuted Cinderella in the spring of 1998, and Swan Lake in 2002.
The company, under the artistic direction of Igor Moiseyev, gave its first performance in 1968. Its repertoire consisted of excerpts from classical ballets and choreographic miniatures produced by such choreographers as Vinogradov, Goleizovsky, Messerer and Moiseyev himself.
In 1986, the company acquired a new status and its present name. This brilliant troupe has won more than 15 Gold Medals from international competitions and three prizes at the Paris Academy of Dance. Recently, the company was granted the title of "Academic Theatre" by the Russian government, a prestigious title only granted to a few top Russian ballet companies.
Auditions were held locally for children ages 6-10 to be part of the show. Ten local children were chosen to participate in all four performances of The Nutcracker. Though formal dance training was not a requirement, many of the children take lessons at studios across the region; including Academy of Performing Arts, Bakstage Dance Co., Williams Center and Adonai Ballet Academy.
Local performers
Brinklee Backes
Lillebeth Backes
Caroline Blake
Juliana Britt
Katie Drake
Julianna Ferguson
Madison Gates
Ella Kestner
Julia Rain Sowerwine
Olivia Wood
Alternates:
Ella Britt
Celeste Margnerire Dearnley
The Moscow Classic Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker is part of the Kimberly-Clark® Family Fun series. Media support is provided by 40/29 News. For more information about this performance or others, contact the Walton Arts Center Box Office by calling 479.443.5600 or by visiting waltonartscenter.org.
