FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NUTCRACKER ~ The Rat King

MINNEAPOLIS (October 31, 2007) MINNEAPOLIS/St. PAUL (October 29, 2007)

Press Contact:
Erik Sanborn
The Metropolitan Ballet
(763) 742-4686
tcmetroballet@aol.com

Ann Swarts
Kenwood Symphony Orchestra
(612) 819-4267
aswarts@kerker.com

The METROPOLITAN BALLET - Minneapolis/St. Paul KENWOOD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA - Minneapolis
Present:

NUTCRACKER ~ The Rat King
WORLD PREMIERE
NORTHROP, University of Minnesota 84 Church Street SE Minneapolis, MN 55455

7:00 PM Saturday December 15, 2007
2:00 PM Sunday December 16, 2007

The METROPOLITAN BALLET unveils it’s NUTCRACKER with KENWOOD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA at NORTHROP!

~ A Fresh New Twist ~

Tchaikovsky's score brings Hoffmann's tale about Marie to life with both resolve and curiosity. Following a holiday celebration Marie falls asleep and in her dream the Mouse King and the smallest rat are battling with soldiers. The Mouse King stabs the Nutcracker Prince in a fit of jealousy and tricks Marie into thinking he is the Prince taking her off to a faraway place. The Prince, clear in what he wants, turns to the smallest rat for help. Can one rodent, regardless of might elect a different path and bring Marie and the Prince together while uniting all in the world of Marzipan Sweets? Who do you suppose Marie meets when she awakens?
A great holiday experience for the whole family with a fresh new twist!

~ A Feast for both Eye and Ear ~

A brand new Nutcracker ballet "lives" in the halls of Northrop once again. This event is a rare live performance that unites the talents of a professional ballet troupe, a full symphony and two acclaimed vocal ensembles! Tchaikovsky’s epic score performed live by Kenwood Symphony’s 65 member orchestra ~ Yuri Ivan, music director. Special Interlude: World Voices and Land of Lakes Choirboys join the celebration to perform the choral line in Waltz of the Snow Flakes. The choirs will also showcase choral pieces from around the globe as a special vocal segue into act II.

Music by Pyotr Tchaikovsky.

Story based on E.T.A. Hoffmann’s The Nutcracker and the Mouse King.
Choreography by Founder/Artistic Director Erik Sanborn
GUEST STARS: Momchil Mladenov (principal dancer with The Suzanne Ferrell Ballet), Violeta Angelova as Marie, Justin Sherwood as The Smallest Rat (Nicknamed Benedict) and Mistress Ginger (Justin Leaf).
Special Choreography in Act II includes: Chinese by Shen Pei (CAAM & CTC’s The Monkey King) Trepak by Slavko Billy (Founder of The Ukrainian Dance Company) Mother Ginger by Justin Leaf (Broadway Bound and Gagged)

TICKET INFORMATION

Reception with the cast and musicians following the performance. For More information visit the Events page at www.metroballet.org.

$5 Discount for Children under 17, students, seniors at least 62 years of age and members of Hennepin Theatre Trust, Walker Art Center, and The Southern Theater (Only one discount per ticket).

Single tickets for NUTCRACKER ~ The Rat King are now on sale. Tickets may be purchased at NORTHROP Ticket Office or By calling (612) 624-2345. You may also purchase tickets online at www.northrop.umn.edu.
Ticket Prices: $25, $35, $45, Gold Circle $75. Gold Circle Tickets include Premium Seating and an exclusive “VIP” Holiday Reception following the performance.

Groups of 10 or more are eligible for special discounts. Call for more information and reservations. Maps and parking information available online.

Joining the cast are the Metropolitan Ballet Academy students from Dancers Edge in Maple Grove.

The Metropolitan Ballet cordially invites Gold Circle ticket holders to special VIP reception in the Gold Room following the performance. In addition to enjoying the performance from premium "Best in the House" seats, VIP treatment includes complimentary Beverages and Hors' De Oeurves on the third floor Gold Room. Present your Gold Circle Ticket at the door and you will be Directed to the reception. Gold Circle Tickets: $75.00

For more information please visit www.metroballet.org or www.northrop.umn.edu

Gold Circle tickets are available for $75 and include Premium Seating and an exclusive “VIP” Reception following the performance. For More info visit the Events page at www.metroballet.org. All prices include applicable facility fees..

$5 discount available for seniors, students and children. Discounts are also available for Members of Hennepin Theatre Trust, Walker Art Center, Minnesota Public Radio and The Southern Theater. (Only one discount per ticket.)

Tickets may be purchased at the NORTHROP Ticket Office or by phone 612-624-2345 or by logging onto www.northrop.umn.edu

Performances Saturday December 15, 2007 at 7 p.m. and Sunday December 16, 2007 at NORTHROP, University of Minnesota, 84 Churche Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455.

Groups of 10 or more call the Ticket Office for information and reservations.

ABOUT THE METROPOLITAN BALLET
The Metropolitan Ballet, a Twin Cities organization since 2002, is a group of artists with a mission of uniting the communities of dance, music and theater in staging high impact works in the performing art of dance with an emphasis on accessibility, diversity and affordability. The company's inaugural production of Prokofiev's Ballet Romeo and Juliet was a rave sellout in 2004. Audiences were once again enthralled with A Classic Gala at the PANTAGES in 2005, which included a celebrity cast and live music. Last fall Dracula, A Ballet of Passion Life and Death made it’s premier featuring the choreography of local artists. The 2006-2007 full season at The State Theatre concluded with a critically acclaimed restaging of Romeo & Juliet, Agnes DeMille’s RODEO and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. For More information visit: www.metroballet.org.

ABOUT KENWOOD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Founded in 1972 as the Kenwood Chamber Orchestra, 2007 marks our fourth season as a full symphony and our first season under the direction of Yuri Ivan.. From humble beginnings as an adult education class, the orchestra has grown immensely in membership, ability, and reputation. Over the years, several gifted conductors have graced the podium, including Uri Barnea, Jim Riccardo, Jeannine Wager, William Intriligator, Myles Hernandez, Kenneth Freed and Jeffrey Stirling. Based at Ramsey International Fine Arts Center, the KSO represents over 50 highly accomplished musicians of various ages and occupations including students, working professionals, and retirees, all passionate about playing and sharing great music. In 2003, the orchestra began an exciting venture joining Ramsey IFAC and the New England Conservatory to integrate music into the mainstream curriculum. KSO is a nonprofit organization financed primarily by members dues, financial gifts from friends and supporters, and our annual Masters Concerto and Aria event. www.kenwoodsymphonyorchestra.org

ABOUT WORLD VOICES
World Voices is a music ensemble of voices and world instruments from the Minneapolis / St. Paul metropolitan area. In its governance, members and audiences, World Voices strives for cultural diversity. The ensemble was founded on the premise that music is a universal language, one that draws people together, creating respect and community between diverse populations. It's purpose is to enhance the awareness and deepen the meaning -- for audience and ensemble alike -- of the cultural, spiritual and religious roots of music from around the world. At each of its concerts, World Voices focuses on the music of a particular culture or region of the world.

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