NCM® Fathom Events, More2Screen and EuroArts Music bring the magic of Tchaikovsky’s beloved holiday ballet, “The Nutcracker,” to life on the big screen for the first time in stunning 3-D in select theaters with RealD™ 3D technology. “The Nutcracker Mariinsky Ballet” on Monday, Dec. 3 at 7:30 p.m., with special matinee screenings in select theaters, was pre-recorded at the historic Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg in December 2011 where the original Nutcracker first made its debut 120 years ago in 1892. This special cinematic holiday event will draw audiences into the performance on stage, taking them on a magical journey with Clara, her Nutcracker, exquisite dancers and toy soldiers.
“The Nutcracker Mariinsky Ballet” tickets are available at participating theater box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com. For a complete list of theater locations and prices, visit the NCM Fathom website (theaters and participants are subject to change). This special holiday presentation will be broadcast to more than 500 select movie theaters through NCM’s exclusiveDigital Broadcast Network and also via the new digital cinema projection systems.
The ballet opens with a Christmas Eve party and a young girl, Clara, being given a nutcracker doll by her godfather, Drosselmeyer. Later in the evening when Clara sleeps, she finds herself in the midst of the Nutcracker’s battle against the Mouse King and his army of mice. Coming to Clara’s aid, the Nutcracker is transformed into a Prince and journeys with her to an enchanted island where spectacular celebrations are held in their honor.
This production showcases the impeccable virtuosity of two of the Mariinsky Theatre’s rising stars – Alina Somova as Clara(Masha in the original Russian ballet) and Vladimir Shklyarov as the Nutcracker. EuroArts Music International filmed “The Nutcracker” in 3-D for this cinematic event.
Under the leadership of General and Artistic Director and renowned conductor, Valery Gergiev, the Mariinsky Theatre, St. Petersburg, Russia was the first ballet company to embrace 3-D technology with the theatrical release of “Giselle in 3D” in 2011, distributed worldwide by More2Screen, and NCM Fathom Events in the U.S.
“The Mariinsky Theatre is one of the world’s leading opera and ballet companies with a far–reaching global profile,” said Gergiev. “Through ground–breaking projects like ‘The Nutcracker in 3-D,’ produced to the same exacting standards for the big screen as for the stage, we are able to share our beautiful productions with many more people worldwide.”
The Mariinsky Theatre was the original home to Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” in 1892, when it made its worldwide debut, and this brand-new version in both 2-D and 3-D marks the 120th anniversary year of the ballet.
“Attending ‘The Nutcracker’ ballet each year is a long-standing holiday tradition for many families across the world,” said Shelly Maxwell, executive vice president of NCM Fathom Events. “With Tchaikovsky’s eternally popular score, the grand staging and exquisite costumes, this Mariinsky Theatre production of ‘The Nutcracker’ in movie theaters will be a unique way to experience this beloved classic.”
About National CineMedia (NCM)
NCM operates NCM Media Networks, a leading integrated media company reaching U.S. consumers in movie theaters, online and through mobile technology. The NCM Cinema Network and NCM Fathom Events present cinema advertising and events across the nation’s largest digital in-theater network, comprised of theaters owned by AMC Entertainment Inc., Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CNK), Regal Entertainment Group (NYSE: RGC) and other leading regional theater circuits. NCM’s theater advertising network covers 183 Designated Market Areas® (49 of the top 50) and includes over 19,300 screens (over 18,400 digital). During 2011, approximately 680 million patrons (on an annualized basis) attended movies shown in theaters in which NCM currently has exclusive, cinema advertising agreements in place. The NCM Fathom Events live digital broadcast network (“DBN”) is comprised of over 720 locations in 170 Designated Market Areas® (including all of the top 50). The NCM Interactive Networkoffers 360-degree integrated marketing opportunities in combination with cinema, encompassing 41 entertainment-related websites, online widgets and mobile applications. National CineMedia, Inc. (NASDAQ: NCMI) owns a 48.6% interest in and is the managing member of National CineMedia LLC. For more information, visit www.ncm.com or www.FathomEvents.com.
About More2Screen
More2Screen is the UK’s leading distributor of alternative content events with more than six years of experience acquiring and distributing world–class opera, ballet, music concerts, theatre and special event films to cinemas across the globe. New content is being added to a fast–growing portfolio on a regular basis and productions released internationally include 2D/3D LIVE and recorded formats. www.more2screen.com
About The Mariinsky Theatre
The Mariinsky Theatre, (formerly the Kirov), is one of the leading opera and ballet companies in the world. Its origins date back to the 18th century and its founder Catherine the Great. As the Imperial Mariinsky Theatre, it was the most famous ensemble of the Tsarist Empire and its history is interwoven with many ballet greats including Rudolf Nureyev, Vaslav Nijinksy, Anna Pavlova, and Michel Fokine. The Mariinsky Theatre is enjoying a second golden age under the dynamic, forward–thinking leadership of General and Artistic Director, Valery Gergiev. www.mariinsky.ru/en orwww.mariinsky.us
