Dancing Machines

Most of us have seen at least one performance of The Nutcracker during the holiday season — but we probably didn’t travel to Russia, where ballet is practically a national sport, to absorb the dance and understand it as a work of art. And this year we won’t have to,...

By Amber Taufen

December 11, 2008

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Most of us have seen at least one performance of The Nutcracker during the holiday season — but we probably didn’t travel to Russia, where ballet is practically a national sport, to absorb the dance and understand it as a work of art. And this year we won’t have to, because Russia is bringing its Nutcracker to us. The Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker, to be precise.

Choreographed by Anatoli Emelianov, three branches of the Great Russian Nutcracker are currently touring North America; the “Clara” tour stops tonight and tomorrow night at the Paramount Theatre, 1621 Glenarm Place, and is led by ballet master Vladimir Troschenko. The sets, inspired by French post-impressionist painter Henri Rousseau, have also been imported from Russia, along with the larger-than-life puppets and whimsical costumes that complete the spectacular show. As a bonus, tiny Denver dancers have filled dozens of roles for children, creating a truly multicultural extravaganza.

Tickets are $25 to $65; the ballet opens tonight at 7:30 p.m. and continues at 3 p.m. tomorrow. Visit www.nutcracker.com or call 1-866-461-6556.
Fri., Dec. 12, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., Dec. 13, 3 p.m., 2008

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Amber Taufen has been writing about people, places and things in Denver since 2005. She works as an editor, writer, and production and process guru out of her home office in the foothills.

Contact: Amber Taufen

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