The countdown to the holidays has begun, and one way to get into the spirit of the season is to go see "The Nutcracker."

Local ballet troupes perform the classic tale annually, but this year the Moscow Ballet will bring its unique version to the Valley for one time only on Nov. 29.

The Moscow Ballet's award-winning principal artists, Ekaterina Bortykova and Akzhol Mussakhanov, will star as Masha and the Nutcracker Prince in the "Great Russian Nutcracker" at Hanford's Fox Theatre.

The Christmas staple is based on the story, "The Nutcracker and the King of Mice," written by E.T.A. Hoffman, which follows Clara and her dream of falling in love with the Nutcracker Prince.

However, the Moscow Ballet's staging does not entirely follow the story line commonly performed in the United States. The main character of Clara is called Basha instead and the ballet is especially distinctive for its setting of Act 2.

In the traditional tale, Clara and her prince visit the Sugar Plum Fairy but in the Moscow Ballet's version they travel to the Land of Peace where they are introduced to the Christmas Dove.

Another new character will be unveiled for the first time this year -- a fantasy clock with wings of an owl that casts a shadow over the battle between the soldiers and mice.

Owner of the Fox Theatre, Dan Humason, booked the Moscow Ballet after he was contacted by the company.

They were originally slated to perform in Fresno, but wanted to come to Hanford instead after they discovered another ballet company was performing "The Nutcracker" in Fresno.

Humason jumped at the opportunity and coincidentally he already had the special type of rubber flooring, known as "Marley" flooring, that is ideal for ballet.

"It's a real professional troupe and I've got all the gear and a special ballerina floor," he said.

The Moscow Ballet has been performing the "Great Russian Nutcracker" during the holiday season throughout the United States since 1993.

It evolved out of the all-star Russian cast, "Glasnost Festival Tour," and made its debut on an eight-city tour, which has evolved to now include more than 60 cities.

The company has won praise for its exquisite dancing and elaborate costumes, as well as its hand-painted backdrops and life-sized dancing puppets.

It features top graduates of the Perm, Vaganova, Moscow State Academic Choreographic and Kiev schools.

They'll make stops in Redding and Cupertino before performing in Hanford, where the Fox will seat up to 1,055.

Tickets range from $37.50 to $99 for the center section of the first eight rows.

"There's some excitement out there, so that's great," Humason said.

The reporter can be reached at 583-2427.

(Nov. 6, 2009)