La Mirada Theatre Presents Moscow Ballet's GREAT RUSSIAN NUTCRACKER 12/19

The Moscow Ballet is set to perform its GREAT RUSSIAN NUTCRACKER at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts on December 19, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

World-renowned Moscow Ballet is celebrating its 18th annual tour of the GREAT RUSSIAN NUTCRACKER tour by performing in over 50 cities across the U.S. and Canada.

About the GREAT RUSSIAN NUTCRACKER:
Featuring spectacular sets and beautifully costumed Russian dancers, Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker is a holiday treat for the whole family. Whimsical and imaginative storytelling blends with the richness of Russian classical dance to make the Great Russian Nutcracker a unique performance not to be missed!

Choreographer Anatoli Emelianov has been praised by critics for his unique setting of Act II in the "Land of Peace and Harmony." To convey his message of peace, Emelianov incorporates an ethereal dove that escorts Masha and the Prince to a land where there is no war and suffering.

Set against Valentin Fedorov's spectacular scenic design, with dancing, larger-than-life puppets and hand-painted backdrops of unicorns, exotic birds and animals, Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker is a visual delight.

This year's tour stars the world's premiere ballet couple, Cristina and Alexei Terentiev. The cast features luminaries of the Perm, Vaganova, Moscow State Academic Choreographic and Kiev schools.

About the principal dancers:

Cristina Terentiev, hailing from the capital city of Moldova, dances to acclaim around the world and boasts prestigious recognition and awards. Most recently Cristina won the Gold Medal, 1st award of 23rd International Ballet Competition in Varna 2008. There she also won Award for Original Contemporary Choreography by Radu Poklitaru, a Special Notice Award and an Award from Sansha, the General Sponsor of the event. Cristina started her ballet studies at the Choreographic School of Chisinau in 1991 and in 1994 received her first award from the Minkus Association and, two years later, she won second prize in the International Ballet Competition in Constanta, Romania. In1998 she received an award in Varna, Bulgaria which was handed to her by primaballerinas assoluta N. Bessmertnova and N. Makarova, members of the jury. Cristina has also been acknowledged by the international organization Diagelev Association. In 2000 Cristina graduated school and became leading ballerina for the National Opera and Ballet Theatre of Moldova. There she directs the repertoire with husband Alexei, also a leading dancer. She is a former principal dancer with the Atlantic Ballet Theatre in Canada. In addition to the GREAT RUSSIAN NUTCRACKER, her repertoire includes principal roles in DON QUIXOTE, SWAN LAKE, SLEEPING BEAUTY, NUTCRACKER, GISELLE, LA SYLPHIDE, CHOPINIANA, LA FILLE MAL GARDEE, PAQUITA and COPPELIA.

Alexei Terentiev dances the roles of the Nutcracker Prince of the GREAT RUSSIAN NUTCRACKER and Prince Siegfried in SWAN LAKE. Born in 1976, Moldova Alexei began his raining at the age of 10 at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy, in the class of Peter Korogodsky. He continued his training at Moldavian State Choreographic School graduating in 1993 and has been a leading dancer with the Moldavian National Opera and Ballet Theatre since then. In 2008 he was awarded Best Partnership and Original Contemporary Choreography by Radu Poklitaru at the 23rd International Ballet Competition in Varna, with partner and wife Cristina Terentieva. Alexei also won Gold in the Senior Men`s Division for dancing Pas de Deux in 1995 at the Danovsky Ballet Competition in Constanta, Romania and a Special Award for the Highest Jump, and he has received an award from the distinguished Diagilev Center. He tours extensively through Europe with the Moldavian National Opera and Ballet Theatre and his repertoire includes principal roles in DON QUIXOTE, SWAN LAKE, SLEEPING BEAUTY, NUTCRACKER, GISELLE, LA SILPHYDE, CHOPINIANA, THE WAYWARD DAUGHTER, PAQUITA and COPPELIA.