Kirkland Fine Arts Center presents Moscow Ballet's "Great Russian Nutcracker" Nov. 2

 

[November 01, 2019] 

The Moscow Ballet returns to Decatur, Ill., to perform the holiday classic the "Great Russian Nutcracker" on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at Kirkland Fine Arts Center on Millikin University’s campus.

Featuring spectacular sets and beautifully costumed Russian dancers, Moscow Ballet's “Great Russian Nutcracker” is an annual treat for the whole family featuring performances sure to delight holiday hearts from every generation. The immersive Christmas classic will feature 40 professional dancers and hand-selected area young dancers from the community.

Tchaikovsky's classic score narrates the audience through the "Miniature Overture" and "Land of the Sugar Plum Fairy," and closes with Masha and the Nutcracker Prince dancing a grand pas de deux before the dream ends.

Moscow Ballet consistently produces record-breaking seasons thrilling audiences from New York City to Los Angeles and from Puerto Rico to Calgary. Offering the classic ballets such as "Great Russian Nutcracker," "Cinderella," "Sleeping Beauty" and "Swan Lake," sold-out theatres attest to the public's love and appreciation of the highest quality productions.

Averaging 100 performances during November and December, this phenomenon combines the highest caliber ballet with historic Russian theatrical traditions including 10 foot tall playful puppets; nine colorful and hand-painted backdrops created with a 3-D effect, and hundreds of exquisite costumes.

Moscow Ballet's unique "Dance with Us" program provides an opportunity for an average of 100 local children to perform side-by-side with the company in roles created just for them and at varying skill levels.

Moscow Ballet Audition Directors travel the United States each fall before the tour to personally audition and rehearse the aspiring student dancers, and prepare them to perform with the professional company.

Moscow Ballet’s community engagement programs include: Creative Development Residencies; interactive workshops and performances for all children via New Horizons – A Children's Program for Life; the opportunity for local, accomplished pre-professional musicians to accompany the principal ballerina through Musical Wunderkind program and more.

For more information, visit nutcracker. com.

Tickets may be purchased at the Kirkland Fine Arts Center Ticket Office, by phone at 217.424.6318 or online at kirkland finearts.com. A $2.50 fee will be charged for credit card purchases. This is a per transaction fee, not per ticket, and applies to online and Ticket Office orders. Kirkland Ticket Office hours are Monday – Friday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

For more information about Kirkland Fine Arts Center, please visit kirklandfinearts. com. Events at Kirkland Fine Arts Center are partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency, and the Midwest Arts Council.

[Millikin University Director of Media Relations and Publications Dane Lisser]