Source: Thomas Jackson, 785-532-2354, tjackson@k-state.edu
Web site: http://www.k-state.edu/mccain/
News release prepared by: Nellie Ryan, 785-532-6415, media@k-state.edu

Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2009

WORLD FAMOUS RUSSIAN NATIONAL BALLET THEATRE TO PERFORM AT K-STATE'S MCCAIN AUDITORIUM

MANHATTAN -- The Russian National Ballet Theatre comes to Kansas State University's McCain Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, as part of the 2008-09 McCain Performance Series.

The dance company is under the direction of the legendary principal dancer of the Bolshoi Ballet, Sergei Radchenko. Stars of the Bolshoi and Kirov ballets and other top dancers from across Russia will perform scenes from classical ballets such as "Sleeping Beauty," "Swan Lake," "Cinderella" and "Don Quixote." The group also performs to the music of Mozart, Bach and Ravel.

The Russian National Ballet Theatre was founded in Moscow in the late 1980s during the fall of the communist regime. Many dancers and choreographers were exercising their newfound creative freedom by starting young, promising and vibrant companies with a unique potential in both classical and modern dance.

The company is made up of more than 35 ballet dancers who were all products of a long and thorough search for dedicated and talented dancers across Russia. The Russian National Ballet Theatre prides itself in creating the necessary atmosphere and conditions in which to further develop and perfect the dancers' artistic and creative skills.

Tickets for the performance are on sale now. Prices start at $15 for K-State students and children 18 and under. General public tickets start at $30. Discounts for K-State faculty, seniors and military also are available. Tickets can be purchased by dropping by the McCain Auditorium box office, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, or by calling 785-532-6428. More information also is available online at http://www.k-state.edu/mccain/