Stellar guest artists light up local stage in Emerald Ballet Theatre's Nutcracker

Emerald Ballet's Nutcracker 

December 1, 2, 8, 9 at 2:00 p.m.

Northshore Performing Arts Center, Bothell

With Rainier Symphony Orchestra, David Waltman, conducting

Tickets online  or 425-984-2471

$20, $30, $35

This holiday season, Emerald Ballet Theatre's (EBT) Nutcracker shines brighter than ever when esteemed guest artists Maria Riccetto and Sascha Radetsky from American Ballet Theatre (ABT) and Clara Blanco and Gennadi Nedvigin from San Francisco Ballet (SFB) take to the Bothell stage. They join regional professionals, a live orchestra and over 200 students from Emerald Ballet Academy to bring E.T.A. Hoffman's timeless tale to life.

"I am very happy that EBT has the privilege of hosting some of the strongest, most beautiful dancers in the world. It is an incredible opportunity for our community to see these dancers perform live at the intimate Northshore Performing Arts Center," says Artistic Director, Viktoria Titova.

Clara Blanco and Gennadi Nedvigin appear as the Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier on the first weekend, December 1 and 2. Originally from Valladolid, Spain, Ms. Blanco studied on scholarship at San Francisco Ballet School after winning the Prix de Lausanne Young Dancers International Dance Competition. She joined the company in 2001, and was promoted to soloist in 2012. Her award-winning partner, Russian-born Mr. Nedvigin, trained at the Bolshoi School in Moscow. Noteworthy for his power and meticulous placement, he joined San Francisco Ballet in 1997 and has been a principal 

Now  in its sixth season, EBT's Nutcracker features a live orchestra, lavish costumes, sumptuous sets and exquisite choreography in the Russian tradition. The four matinee performances are ideal for children to attend. Every seat at the Northshore Performing Arts Center provides excellent views of the stage, and parking is ample, close and free. Tickets are reasonably priced-$20 for youth under 17, $30 for seniors, and $35 for adults-and are available at www.npacf.org or (425) 984-2471.

Emerald Ballet Theatre was founded in 2007 by Artistic Director Viktoria Titova, former ballerina with the Bolshoi Theatre Grigorovich Company. EBT is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization that is committed to advancing the art of ballet through education, performance, community outreach, and collaboration with other arts organizations.