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style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><FONT face=Garamond><FONT
size=2>(440) 964-3396<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></H1>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><FONT
face=Garamond>Ashtabula Arts Center<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><FONT face=Garamond>2928
West 13<SUP>th</SUP> St., Ashtabula, OH 44004<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><A
href="mailto:aac@ashartscenter.org"><FONT
face=Garamond>aac@ashartscenter.org</FONT></A><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><A
href="http://www.ashartscenter.org/"><FONT
face=Garamond>www.ashartscenter.org</FONT></A><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><A
href="http://www.artscenternews.com/"><FONT
face=Garamond>www.artscenternews.com</FONT></A><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT face=Garamond>November 22,
2011<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT face=Garamond>For release: November 27,
2011<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT face=Garamond>Kill date: December 18,
2011<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><FONT
size=3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal
align=center><FONT size=2 face=Garamond><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"><STRONG>"The Nutcracker" Opens
Friday!</STRONG></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal
align=center><FONT size=2 face=Garamond><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"><STRONG></STRONG></SPAN></SPAN></FONT> </P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal
align=center><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"><FONT size=2 face=Garamond><STRONG>Presented by Ballet
Theatre Ashtabula </STRONG></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal
align=center><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"><FONT size=2 face=Garamond><STRONG>December 2,
<S>3</S> (sold out), 4, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17, & 18.
</STRONG></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal
align=center><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"><FONT size=2 face=Garamond><STRONG>Thursday, Friday
& Saturday performances begin at 7:30 p.m.
</STRONG></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal
align=center><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"><FONT size=2 face=Garamond><STRONG>Saturday &
Sunday matinees begin at 2 p.m. </STRONG></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal
align=center><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"><FONT
face=Garamond><o:p><STRONG></STRONG></o:p></FONT></SPAN></SPAN> </P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal
align=center><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"></SPAN></SPAN></U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT face=Garamond><STRONG>The holiday season is
here and with it comes the annual full-scale production of Ballet Theatre
Ashtabula’s “The Nutcracker” at the Ashtabula Arts Center.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>A holiday tradition for young and old
alike, “The Nutcracker” transports audiences into the most magical place of
all—the world as seen through the eyes of a child.
<o:p></o:p></STRONG></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT
face=Garamond><STRONG> <o:p></o:p></STRONG></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Garamond><STRONG><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN> <FONT
face=Garamond>Loosely based on the tale “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King,” by
E.T.A. Hoffmann, “<SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic">The
Nutcracker”</SPAN> was originally published in 1816 as part of a collection of
children’s fairy tales.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Like most
fairy tales in those days, the story had a decidedly dark side.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>A revision in 1845 by Alexander Dumas, a
well-known French author, transformed the treasured story into a cheerier
version that is more of what we recognize today.
<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></STRONG></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: auto 0in" class=bodystyle><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt"><FONT
face=Garamond><FONT size=2><STRONG>This time-honored classic tells a story of an
enchanted Nutcracker doll that magically comes to life to battle an Evil Mouse
Queen and her band of ferocious mice.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Audiences will quickly be drawn into the battle scene and then carried
away to a dazzling land of dancing snowflakes, angels and bon bons. It is a
Christmas treasure that brings enchantment, festivity and fun to the holiday
season for families throughout the world.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></STRONG></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: auto 0in" class=bodystyle><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt"><FONT
face=Garamond><FONT size=2><STRONG><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>“I can’t begin to count the number of
people over the years who have told me how much they love and look forward to
the show every year,” says Public Relations/Marketing Coordinator Pamela
Hammond.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>“We’re thrilled that so
many people have made it a part of their annual family
tradition.”<o:p></o:p></STRONG></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: auto 0in" class=bodystyle><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt"><FONT
color=#333333><FONT face=Garamond><FONT size=2><STRONG>Ballet Theatre
Ashtabula’s production features magnificent costumes, spectacular sets, artistic
choreography, a giant Christmas tree and falling snow that blankets an
enchanting winter wonderland.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The
production has been staged in Ashtabula for more than 25
years.<o:p></o:p></STRONG></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: auto 0in" class=bodystyle><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt"><FONT
color=#333333><FONT face=Garamond><FONT size=2><STRONG>Tickets can be purchased
by calling 964-3396.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Patron: $15,
General Admission: $13, Senior : $12, Student/Children: $11. OR save $2 per
ticket when you purchase in advance! Advance tickets must be purchased prior to
4 p.m. on the day of the show or on Saturday for Sunday
performances.<o:p></o:p></STRONG></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><FONT
face=Garamond><STRONG>Guests can also receive 50% off a ticket to the 7:30 p.m.
performance on Thursday, Dec. 15th when you help to support the Safe Food Pantry
located at Faith Lutheran Church-the oldest food pantry in Ashtabula Co. For
each item of food you bring to the Arts Center for donation to the food pantry,
you can purchase a ticket to the Thursday performance for half off the advance
sale ticket price. Items that are especially needed include tuna, peanut butter
and canned goods.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>No expired items,
please.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Donations must be brought
to the Arts Center before half price tickets can be purchased.
<o:p></o:p></STRONG></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><FONT
face=Garamond><STRONG> <o:p></o:p></STRONG></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><FONT
face=Garamond><STRONG>For tickets or more information contact the Ashtabula Arts
Center at (440) 964-3396.</STRONG></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><FONT
face=Garamond><STRONG></STRONG></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><FONT
face=Garamond><STRONG>The Arts Center is located at 2928 West 13th Street,
Ashtabula, OH 44004</STRONG></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><FONT
face=Garamond><STRONG> <o:p></o:p></STRONG></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black"><FONT face=Garamond><STRONG>The Arts
Center is funded in part by the Ohio Arts
Council.<o:p></o:p></STRONG></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black"><FONT
size=3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal
align=center><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black"><FONT
size=3>###<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Pamela Hammond<BR>Public Relations/Marketing
Coordinator<BR>Ashtabula Arts Center<BR>2928 West 13th Street<BR>Ashtabula OH
44004<BR>(440) 964-3396<BR><A
href="mailto:aac@ashartscenter.org">aac@ashartscenter.org</A><BR><A
href="http://www.ashartscenter.org">www.ashartscenter.org</A><BR><A
href="http://www.artscenternews.com">www.artscenternews.com</A></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>