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<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT><FONT size=5><FONT
face="Times New Roman, serif"><FONT size=4><STRONG><EM>A “Sweet” way to create a
family holiday tradition! </EM></STRONG></FONT></FONT>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 100%; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0in"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman, serif"><SPAN lang=en-US>Ballet Theatre of Ohio (BTO),
under the artistic direction of Christine Meneer, will present
“</SPAN></FONT><FONT face="Times New Roman, serif"><SPAN lang=en-US>The
Nutcracker</SPAN></FONT><FONT face="Times New Roman, serif"><SPAN lang=en-US>”
at the historic Akron Civic Theatre for seven public performances, November
26-December 4. Voted Akron's #1 Holiday Show, BTO's </SPAN></FONT><FONT
face="Times New Roman, serif"><SPAN lang=en-US>Nutcracker </SPAN></FONT><FONT
face="Times New Roman, serif"><SPAN lang=en-US>has been delighting audiences for
19 years. </SPAN></FONT><FONT face="Times New Roman, serif"><SPAN lang=en-US>No
matter the age, from 3 to 103, BTO's </SPAN></FONT><FONT
face="Times New Roman, serif"><SPAN lang=en-US>Nutcracker</SPAN></FONT><FONT
face="Times New Roman, serif"><SPAN lang=en-US> event is the perfect way for
your family to start the holidays. </SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 100%; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0in"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman, serif"><SPAN lang=en-US>Hundreds of families share
the</SPAN></FONT><FONT face="Times New Roman, serif"><SPAN lang=en-US> tradition
of ringing in their holiday season by being transported to a beautiful Victorian
Christmas, and sharing the magical dream of a young girl, set to Tchaikovsky’s
brilliant score. What keeps them coming back year after year is the superb
quality of the production. Breath-taking sets, stunning costumes, and
entertaining choreography performed by an exceptionally talented troupe of
professional and pre-professional dancers keep the audience enthralled. BTO has
remained committed to keeping the production fresh with yearly updates and
additions. </SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 100%; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0in"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman, serif"><SPAN lang=en-US>Annual attendees know that coming
out to Akron's “Jewel on Main Street”, as the Akron Civic Theatre is known, is
so much more than a simple trip to the ballet – it is an event not to be missed!
Whether it's your first time, or an annual tradition, the moment you step
through the door into the lobby of the grand theatre you will feel the joy of
the season. You'll be greeted by the Nutcracker and his soldiers as they pass
out candy canes. At the top of the grande staircase, families can be seen lining
up in front of the Nutcracker Tree – a favorite photo op for your family
Christmas card. </SPAN></FONT><FONT face="Times New Roman, serif"><SPAN
lang=en-US>Add to, or start your own nutcracker collection from BTO’s
extraordinary boutique featuring over 100 different nutcrackers of all shapes
and sizes!</SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 100%; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0in" lang=en-US><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman, serif">Continue into the Grand Salon of the Mezzanine to
find "The North Pole", featuring small vignettes of Santa and his elves’ busy
workshop, the sleigh full of toys and of course, the real Santa ready to hear
what is on every child’s wish list! New this year, children can hopscotch down
the candy cobbled lane to The Gingerbread Room featuring award winning
gingerbread mansions designed by local artist, Dr. John Learner of
Stow.</FONT></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 100%; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0in"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman, serif"><SPAN lang=en-US>The role of Clara will be danced
by Aimee Gjurkovitsch, a </SPAN></FONT><FONT face="Times New Roman, serif"><SPAN
lang=en-US>7</SPAN></FONT><SUP><FONT face="Times New Roman, serif"><SPAN
lang=en-US>th</SPAN></FONT></SUP><FONT face="Times New Roman, serif"><SPAN
lang=en-US> grade student at Woodridge Middle School in Peninsula. Guest artists
joining her that weekend will be Gary Lenington as the Nutcracker and Arabian
Prince; Damien Highfield will guest as the Snow King and Spanish Senor; Jennifer
Safonovs as the Sugar Plum Fairy and Brian Murphy as her Cavalier. Week two,
Hannah Smolinski, a 9</SPAN></FONT><SUP><FONT
face="Times New Roman, serif"><SPAN lang=en-US>th</SPAN></FONT></SUP><FONT
face="Times New Roman, serif"><SPAN lang=en-US> grader at Stow-Munroe Falls High
School, will dance the role of Clara. She will be joined by Gary Lenington as
the Nutcracker and the Arabian Prince; Jennifer Safonovs as the Sugar Plum
Fairy; and Damien Highfield as the Snow King, Spanish Senor and Cavalier. For
the 19</SPAN></FONT><SUP><FONT face="Times New Roman, serif"><SPAN
lang=en-US>th</SPAN></FONT></SUP><FONT face="Times New Roman, serif"><SPAN
lang=en-US> season, Joshua Isley will play the role of Drosselmyer, and his
brother Jeremiah will be the Mouse King. Other long time cast members include
Kim Sulek (Mother Ginger) and Erin Kelly (Clara’s Mother). All lead characters
will come out to the lobby to sign autographs for their adoring fans.
</SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 100%; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0in"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman, serif"><SPAN lang=en-US>BTO will present
</SPAN></FONT><FONT face="Times New Roman, serif"><SPAN lang=en-US>The
Nutcracker</SPAN></FONT><FONT face="Times New Roman, serif"><SPAN lang=en-US>:
Nov. 26 at 2 pm and 7 pm; Nov. 27 at 2 pm; Dec. 2 at 7 pm; Dec.3 at 2 pm and 7
pm; and Dec. 4 at 2 pm. Ticket prices are $40, $28, and $18 with discounts
available by visiting BTO’s website </SPAN></FONT><FONT color=#0000ff><U><A
href="http://www.ballettheatreohio.org/"><FONT
face="Times New Roman, serif"><SPAN
lang=en-US>www.BalletTheatreOhio.org</SPAN></FONT></A></U></FONT><FONT
face="Times New Roman, serif"><SPAN lang=en-US> Through November 13, save 25%
off the regular ticket price by purchasing season subscription tickets for both
</SPAN></FONT><FONT face="Times New Roman, serif"><SPAN lang=en-US>The
Nutcracker</SPAN></FONT><FONT face="Times New Roman, serif"><SPAN lang=en-US>
and BTO’s spring ballet </SPAN></FONT><FONT face="Times New Roman, serif"><SPAN
lang=en-US>Coppelia</SPAN></FONT><FONT face="Times New Roman, serif"><SPAN
lang=en-US>. Tickets are also available at the Akron Civic Theatre Box Office at
330-253-2488. Doors open one hour prior to the performance so families can visit
with Santa and the Nutcracker, and enjoy all the wonderful sights to see!
</SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 100%; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0in" lang=en-US><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman, serif">Ballet Theatre of Ohio receives major funding from
The Margaret Clark Morgan Foundation, Akron Community Foundation, and The Mary
S. and David C. Corbin Foundation. If you would like to help BTO to continue to
bring professional quality performances at family affordable prices to the Akron
Civic Theatre, please visit the website for information.</FONT></P>
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