Toronto International Ballet Theatre Presents THE NUTCRACKER

TORONTO INTERNATIONAL BALLET THEATRE (TIBT), in collaboration with BOLSHOI BALLET, proudly presents an unforgettable production of THE NUTCRACKER. This classic presentation will feature ballerina powerhouses Anastasia Stashkevich and Vyacheslav Lopatin, principal dancers of the world-renowned Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow. THE NUTCRACKER will be presented at the Sony Centre for the Arts on December 22, 2018, for two shows only, 2pm and 7pm.

In Tchaikovsky's famous THE NUTCRACKER, the story of a young girl's journey to a magical land on Christmas Eve, is perhaps not only the composer's most famous work but also one of the most beloved ballets of all time. Using Tchaikovsky's cherished score and some of the world's best dancers, Toronto International Ballet Theatre presents a unique version of THE NUTCRACKER, maintaining its imperial beauty and grandeur, but with unique choreography and an innovative vision.

Anastasia Stashkevich is a Russian Principal Dancer of the Bolshoi Ballet. She has been praised as one of the company's stand out artists. Her repertoire includes the role of Lise in Sir Frederick Ashton's La fille mal gardée; Swanilda and L'Aurore in Coppelia; the title role in Yuri Burlaka's Esmeralda; Marie in Yuri Grigorovich's The Nutcracker; Ballerina in Mikhail Fokine's Petrushka; and Galya in Alexei Ratmansky's Bright Stream, amongst many others. Her awards include the Bronze medal at the Vaganova-Prix International Ballet Competition (2002) and the Silver medal at the Arabesque Ballet Competition in Perm, Russia (2004).

Vyacheslav Lopatin was born in Voronezh, Russia, and studied at the Voronezh Choreographic College, after which he apprenticed at the Moscow Choreographic Academy. In 2003 he joined the Bolshoi Ballet, where he presently works under the tutelage of Boris Akimov. He was promoted to the rank of first soloist in October 2009, to leading soloist in September 2011, and appointed to the rank of principal dancer in July 2017. In 2009 Lopatin and Natalia Osipova received a special prize from the jury of the Golden Mask award for their partnership in the Bolshoi's production of La Sylphide.

Toronto International Ballet Theatre (TIBT) is dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in the art of ballet. We bring together young talented dancers and international stars, to perform in professional productions with spectacular sets and beautiful choreography by renowned choreographer and former Prima Ballerina Tatiana Stepanova.

The Bolshoi Ballet is an internationally renowned classical ballet company, based at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, Russian Federation. Founded in 1776, the Bolshoi is among the world's oldest ballet companies. Some of the most prominent names in ballet are associated with the Bolshoi.

Performances are at the Sony Centre for the Arts, 1 Front St E, Toronto, Ontario. To purchase tickets please visit www.torontoballet.ca, or call 1-855-872-SONY (7669)