Moscow Ballet’s “Great Russian Nutcracker” has become a Morgantown tradition. The internationally touring ballet group returns to the West Virginia University Creative Arts Center on Wednesday, Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at the Mountainlair and Creative Arts Center box offices, online at Ticketmaster.com, and by phone at 800-745-3000 and 304-293-SHOW (7469).

Moscow Ballet’s renowned company boasts nearly 40 classically trained dancers and the company remains the only internationally touring ballet group to perform to critical acclaim in more than 75 North American cities annually. Audiences, young and old, will be thrilled by the dancers’ expertise and dramatic expression as the story of Masha, Uncle Drosselmeyer and the Nutcracker Prince unfolds to Tchaikovsky’s classic score.

This season’s production will feature award-winning principal dancers Ekaterina Bortiakova (Masha, Clara in the U.S. version) and Akzhol Mussakhanov (Nutcracker Prince). Bortiakova graduated four years early from Jalil State Choreographic School after only six years of training. At age 16 she won an award from the Vaganova-Prix International Ballet Competition in St. Petersburg and in 2001 she was recognized with the “Artistic Inspiration” award at the Kazan International Ballet Competition. One year later Bortiakova received the best “Arabesque” and the “Best Partnering” (with partner Mussakhanov) awards at the International Ballet Competition in Perm.

Mussakhanov was recognized at the IX International Ballet Competition in Moscow 2001 as well as the Serge Lifar International Ballet Competition in Kiev 2004 and the Festival of Independence of Kazakhstan in 2006. He is a 2001 graduate of the Jalil State Choreographic School of Kazan.

Moscow Ballet’s “Great Russian Nutcracker” is known for its dedication to world peace, even naming Act II the “Land of Peace and Harmony.” The production also includes a number of fanciful effects such as life-size Matruskha Dolls and an authentic Troika sleigh that is escorted by Father Christmas and the Snow Maiden through the magical Snow Forest.

This production is perfect for the whole family. Tickets range from $49 to $69, depending on location, and are on sale now at the Mountainlair and Creative Arts Center box offices, online at Ticketmaster.com, and by phone at 800-745-3000 and 304-293-SHOW (7469). WVU Student tickets are $23. The WVU Student discount is only available at the campus box offices. (Limit: one discounted ticket per valid WVU I.D.)

This event is part of the University Toyota University Arts Series produced by WVU Arts & Entertainment. For additional information, call 304-293-SHOW (7469), or visit events.wvu.edu. Stay connected with the latest event updates on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram by following @wvuevents.

-WVU-

ksg/11/4/15

CONTACT: Kristie Stewart-Gale, Arts & Entertainment
304-293-8221, kristie.stewart-gale@mail.wvu.edu

Follow @WVUToday on Twitter.