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In the Chaos of the Vietnam War, There Was One Thing You Could Rely On: Bob Hope’s Christmas Tours

One of the few constants of the Vietnam War—one eagerly anticipated by American troops, that is—was the annual Bob Hope Christmas Show. From 1964 to 1972, Hope included South Vietnam on his annual trips to visit troops during the holiday season, a tradition that started for him during World War II. “Back in 1941, at March Field, California…I still remember fondly that first soldier audience,” Hope once said. “I looked at them, they laughed at me, and it was love at first sight.”

“And did you read where President Johnson just requested another $50 billion to cover the rising cost of the war? Wouldn’t it be awful if we ran out of money and they repossessed the war?”

While only a small fraction of the 2.5 million troops who served in Southeast Asia actually got to attend Hope’s performances, for those who did he managed to break the monotony, ease the loneliness and give the troops in combat zones across Vietnam a couple of hours of laughter—and a memory for a lifetime. Bob Hope’s classic opening monologues of rapid-fire jokes always took jabs at the GIs and the specifics of the local situation.

Under a hot sun or a driving rain, his young audiences laughed and cheered the legendary comedian and his cast of singers, dancers and the musicians of Les Brown and his Band of Renown. Hope’s shtick included a constant, sometimes bawdy banter with the other performers, taking plenty of shots at the absurdities of military life while conveying a real sense of how difficult it was for the troops to be away from home during the holidays.

Hope began taking his show on the road after the United States entered World War II and the United Service Organization (USO) started sending Hollywood and radio entertainers to perform for military audiences at bases in North Africa, Europe and the South Pacific. Already a giant movie and radio star, Hope traveled overseas six times, logging more than a million miles during World War II. At the outset of the Cold War in 1948, when the Soviets closed all ground travel from West Germany to Berlin, Hope’s show followed the reserves sent by President Harry Truman to facilitate the airlift into the western sectors of Berlin. Later, Hope traveled to Korea in the early 1950s after North Korean troops invaded South Korea, and all during the 1950s his show played at military bases in Japan. By the 1960s, Hope’s Christmas shows for troops overseas had become a fixture of America’s traditional holiday season.

At Bien Hoa Air Base on Christmas Eve : “I asked McNamara if we could come and he said, ‘Why not, we’ve tried everything else!’ ”

As early as 1962, Hope wanted to go to Vietnam to perform for the growing contingent of American military advisers. Although planning moved at a steady pace for a 1963 show, the Pentagon ultimately pulled the plug on it because of what it considered too high a risk. Nevertheless, at age 61, Hope persisted and won approval for his first Vietnam shows in December 1964. With his new destination came a new twist to the shows: They would be filmed to be broadcast as holiday specials in early January of the next year.

These filmed productions required a new level of effort in organization and execution to bring them to a new domestic audience. Hope remained the star and the driving force behind his tours. Other leading performers such as Connie Stevens, Ann-Margret and Joey Heatherton welcomed the opportunity to join him, despite the stress of travel into a far-flung war zone and the hardships they encountered there. Hope’s Vietnam engagements were among the most dangerous ever for the funnyman and his entertainers.

On December 15, 1964, Hope’s contingent left Los Angeles aboard a military transport aircraft large enough to carry the support staff and all the entertainers, including Les Brown and his band, the reigning Miss World, Anita Bryant, actresses Janis Paige and Jill St. John and comic actor Jerry Colonna, who had been part of Hope’s group during World War II.

this article first appeared in vietnam magazine

The tour covered 25,000 miles and included stops at Wake Island and Guam. They flew on to Korea for a performance in which Hope opened his monologue by labeling South Korea as “Vietnam North.” He won thunderous applause when he cracked, “We had a little trouble landing in Seoul: Someone stole the runway.”

Security was exceptionally tight for Bob Hope’s first visit to Vietnam. Although the planners had made intricate arrangements through the offices of Military Assistance Command Vietnam (MACV) prior to his December 24 landing, there had been no official announcements or confirmation of Hope’s visit. And the locations of all his shows remained secret. Even Hope and his staff never knew the name of the base they were to perform at until they landed. Reporters noted that plans for Hope’s visits to different areas were more secret than those for generals or Cabinet officials. Troops who made up the audiences were never told who would be visiting until the last minute.

Hope and his entourage were given stern warnings from MACV. While some were routine for any overseas travel—avoid all water and ice because none was safe to drink, and stay away from all milk products—the threats related to terrorism were especially serious. They were told to stay away from windows in restaurants and in their hotel rooms, and to keep their drapes closed. And a final caution: Drop to the floor when they heard an explosion. In spite of the dangers, the shows went on, but the sound of aircraft overhead during a performance always brought a startled look from Hope.

Although a Communist attack was a real possibility, Hope appeared relaxed, swinging a golf club, which became a constant prop during his monologues. “I love the runway you have here,” he quipped. “Great golfing country…even the runway has 18 holes.”

After the show, the group moved to Saigon, where the dire warnings of danger literally exploded into reality. Hope and most of the performers stayed at the Caravelle Hotel, while Brown and members of the band stayed at the Continental Palace. Both were close to the Brinks Hotel, which served as a bachelor officers quarters for the Americans. That afternoon, a bomb flattened the Brinks, sent glass and other debris into some rooms of the Continental and shook the Caravelle. No one in the troupe was injured, but the explosion left all the hotels without water or electricity. True to form, Hope stitched this incident into his act at Tan Son Nhut the next day: “I want to thank General Westmoreland for that wonderful welcome yesterday. We opened with a bang!” And at the small outpost in the Mekong Delta, he joked: “A funny thing happened to me when I was driving through downtown Saigon to my hotel last night. We met a hotel going the other way.”

Next up was a flight to Pleiku, a small helicopter base in the highlands near the border with North Vietnam, with heavy security in place for the visitors. Rumors had circulated that Hope’s group was headed their way, but no one was sure until the airplane landed and Bob Hope walked onto the stage. “What a welcome,” he declared. “Wherever we land we’re met by thousands of cheering servicemen…they think it’s Secretary McNamara with shut-down orders!”

Jill St. John did her stand-up routine with Hope, trading one-liners about her IQ and his golf score, and later in the show she performed the segment that became very popular with the servicemen, when they joined her on stage to dance the “Go-Go” to the beat of Les Brown’s band.

At Da Nang, the tour’s largest audience in Vietnam, Hope made light of the frequent changes in government that year: “Vietnam is a very democratic country, everyone gets to be president.” As usual, he joked about military cutbacks and the aircraft he was forced to fly in: “It’s one of the earlier jets…instead of afterburners, it has an oven and a bag of charcoal.”

The last show on the 1964 Vietnam tour was at the seaside city of Nha Trang. At this and every performance, after a brief prayer from the chaplain, Anita Bryant closed the show by singing the first verse of “Silent Night,” and asked the troops and other performers to join in on the second verse, a tradition that continued through all the show’s years. The group left Vietnam on December 28 and flew to Clark Air Base in the Philippines for a show before heading home. Arriving back in Los Angeles on December 30, Hope told reporters, “This was the most exciting Christmas trip since 1943.”

1964 NBC Broadcast: “Let’s face it… we’re the Big Daddy of this world”

The 1964 trip set the pace and the pattern for all of Bob Hope’s visits to American troops around the world for the next eight years. While the performers changed and the locations varied, Hope was always the star and began the shows by strutting on stage with his golf club in hand, firing off jokes tailored to each base. He always had the reigning Miss World and always tried to bring the troops the outstanding glamour star from back home. He started appearing onstage in military uniform shirts and jackets outlandishly decorated with patches, stripes, stars and insignias. And as the number of military personnel stationed in Vietnam grew each year, the tour’s length expanded too.

“We want to thank Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara for making this Christmas trip possible….Let’s face it, we’re the Big Daddy of this world….I talked to a lot of our fighting men over here and even though they’re putting up a great fight, against tremendous odds in this hide-and-seek war, they’re not about to give up, because they know if they walk out of this bamboo obstacle course, it would be like saying to the commies, ‘come and get it.’ That’s why they’re laying their lives on the line everyday….And they said thank you….I don’t think any of us ever had a better Christmas present.”

For the 1965 tour, Hope’s troupe flew for 22 hours in a C-141 and spent much of the flight in rehearsal. Stopping at Guam to refuel, the cast put on a full 2½ hour show.

The American escalation had a direct influence on Hope’s shows. Within a year, the number of American military bases had multiplied, troop levels increased eight-fold, to 180,000, and so had the size of Hope’s audiences. Two fighter escorts accompanied the entertainers to Tan Son Nhut on Christmas Eve, and the cast was rushed to the site of the show. Hope took the stage and announced to the crowd of 12,000 that he had to “come to Vietnam to see his congressman,” referring to the flood of members of Congress who made frequent jaunts to Vietnam at the time.

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The troupe flew next to Cam Ranh Bay, where Hope, sauntering across the stage wagging his golf club, scolded the troops: “I don’t know what you guys did to get here, but let that be a lesson to you!” Baking in the hot sun, the troops roared in agreement.

On their flight north to entertain the Marines at Chu Lai, Hope’s plane lost an engine on the way, and they arrived late. Hope then set the mood, opening with: “Other bases here in South Vietnam invited me; this one dared me!” Later, at Da Nang, the monsoons caught up with them, and they performed through a heavy downpour. It was here that Hope had some serious reflections on what he was seeing among the troops he was meeting. After the show, Hope told an interviewer: “The kids here seem more optimistic than those at home. They have more confidence in our leaders.”

Bob Hope performed 22 shows and visited five hospitals in 1965. Each show lasted more than two hours, and typically there were two performances a day. Every tour he made to South Vietnam drew the attention not only of American fighting forces, but of the enemy as well. It was not unusual for the Communists to fire on or attack a base shortly after the show ended. After each show at Pleiku in the Central Highlands, the Viet Cong would shell the area.

Christmas Tour 1966: “The country is behind you 50 percent”

In 1966, for the first time in many years, Bob Hope’s partner and friend since the tours in WWII, Jerry Colonna, was unable to join the troupe after suffering a stroke. Nevertheless, Hope’s company, featuring guest stars Phyllis Diller and Heatherton, left Los Angeles on December 16, and by Christmas they were at Cu Chi. Actress Chris Noel, who was asked by Hope to join the show for this performance, arrived on a chopper in time to join him and the troops for a traditional turkey dinner in the mess. Noticing some men precariously perched on tall poles before the show began, Hope asked during his opening monologue, “How did you get up there? LSD?”

The tenor of the Christmas tour of 1966 reflected changing attitudes in the United States regarding the course of the war, and Hope’s humor didn’t shy away from it. He reassured the troops that “the country is behind you 50 percent.” He then added, “I’m very happy to be here; I’m leaving tomorrow!”

While Hope largely kept his personal opinions out of his on-stage performances, he spoke freely with reporters off stage. At one stop, he announced he was definitely “hawkish” and expressed his desire that the “United States would move a little faster to end the war.”

By Christmas 1967, the number of American military in South Vietnam had reached almost 500,000, resulting in ever-larger audiences and making Hope’s appearances even more important for boosting morale. Joined on the tour by actresses Raquel Welch and Barbara McNair, Hope performed for 25,000 men and women at Long Binh who sat in a brutal sun while organizers fretted about security. He told the troops at Da Nang that Dow Chemical just got even with student protesters: “They came up with an asbestos draft card.” During a visit with the wounded, Hope asked one soldier, “Did you see the show or were you already sick?”

The next year, as audiences swelled, Hope added former Los Angeles Rams player turned actor Rosie Grier to his entourage, and Ann-Margret, who was a hit in her minidress and go-go boots. At Cu Chi, they had to travel in a safety pod of three aircraft to get in, and Hope noted, “Every time we come here, there is action!”

The 1969 tour left Los Angeles and stopped off in Washington for a state dinner with President Richard Nixon and a rehearsal at the White House, where Hope and guest stars Connie Stevens, The  Golddiggers from The Dean Martin Show and astronaut Neil Armstrong—who just a few months before had become the first man on the moon—tried out their material before taking it to Vietnam.

As with all great comedians, dissecting contemporary culture, politics and changing societal mores was a Hope staple. Widespread recreational drug use in America and among troops in Vietnam had become a comedic target by 1970 and a part of Hope’s routine. With all-star Cincinnati Reds catcher Johnny Bench as his foil, Hope chimed: “Where else can you spend eight months on grass and not get busted?”

With steady troop withdrawals in the early ’70s: “Wonderful to be working with you leftovers!”

But even Bob Hope couldn’t escape criticism in 1970 when he made references to drug use by the troops. NBC removed most of the drug jokes prior to its January broadcast. But, at a show at the 101st Airborne Division’s base, Hope got huge laughs during his opening monologue when he said: “I hear you guys are interested in gardening here. Our security officers said a lot of you are growing your own grass. I was wondering how you guys managed to bomb Hanoi without planes!”

Hope never knew when the brass would show up, but every year Generals William Westmoreland, Creighton Abrams and Fred Weyand and Admiral John McCain would find him on stage somewhere to thank him and his crew.

Decades removed, Bob Hope’s material still holds its own, and his jokes about military life ring as true now as they did then. Perhaps most jarring to today’s viewers, however, are his apparent sexist references to women during the shows. Hope was a man of his time, referring to his female performers as “girls,” frequently commenting on their measurements—nothing atypical for the era. His jokes were also harsh and sometimes negative about the countries where the troops were stationed.

The Bob Hope Christmas tours continued to go to Vietnam until 1972. On the last tour, the group spent less time in Vietnam because of the drastic decrease in the number of American troops by then. That year Hope greeted the Marines at Da Nang with, “Wonderful to be working for you leftovers!” But, he quickly added: “You guys are lucky because you get to go home, not like our representatives at the Paris Peace Talks.”

While steady troop withdrawals meant smaller audiences, there was no less commitment and enthusiasm from the performers. And even though they spent less time in Vietnam, the grueling 1972 Christmas tour lasted more than two weeks with shows at bases in the Philippines, Singapore, Guam and a Christmas morning performance for 1,200 SeaBees at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.

During the final montage of photos and film of his last televised Vietnam Christmas special in 1972, Hope narrates film footage of Long Binh shot a year earlier, bustling with troops. “Well,” he said, showing the new footage of a deserted Long Binh, overgrown with weeds, “this is how [it] looks now…and this is how it should be…all those happy, smiling, beautiful faces are gone. But most of them are really where they belong, home with their loved ones.”

Judith Johnson recently retired as a professor and history department chair at Wichita State University. She is now working on a study of private contractors during the Vietnam War. For more on Hope, she recommends: Bob Hope, A Life in Comedy by William Robert Faith, and Five Women I Loved: Bob Hope’s Vietnam Story by Bob Hope.

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The History of Bob Hope USO Shows

Anyone who is even vaguely familiar with the USO knows a little about the history of Bob Hope’ USO shows . Since 1941, the United Service Organizations has provided support to the service members of the United States military. At all stages of a service member’s active duty and even beyond, USO volunteers are ready to provide support. 

• At enlistment
• On deployment
• With their families
• Away from home
• When injured in service
• Returning to civilian life

Bob Hope’s USO shows were a staple for many decades, entertaining generations of military personnel in the United States Armed Forces.

Driving Force Behind the USO Tours

Though he wore many hats as an entertainer, starting out as a dancer, film actor, and radio comedian, Bob Hope is perhaps best remembered as the driving force behind the USO tours that featured the United States’ greatest entertainers traveling to show their support for the troops and lift the spirits of those fighting on the front lines. This tradition began in 1941, when he performed a radio show at March Field in Riverside, California. Fresh from his motion picture successes The Cat and the Canary (1939) and The Road to Singapore (1940) , he was well received, and when the United States joined World War II in December of that year, he resolved to work with the USO to bring more shows to service members. Over the next 18 months, he traveled the length and breadth of the country performing at military bases, until he ventured overseas to the European and Pacific fronts to perform for troops stationed there.His Road to… co-star Bing Crosby also joined USO tours. As time went by and Hope’s shows became more of a staple, he assembled a team of regular collaborators: Tony Romano , the musician. Jerry Colonna , Hope’s sideman. Frances Langford, the singer.

For 40 Years Bob Hope USO Shows Brightened the Holidays

After the conclusion of World War II, Hope continued his film career and successfully made the transition to television. While famously he never won an Academy Award , he was awarded honorary Oscars multiple times. During the Berlin Airlift in 1948 and again when the Korean War began in 1950, Hope joined the USO to support the men and women of the US Armed Forces. He was also a frequent visitor to American forces stationed in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War , regularly seen with his trademark golf club. Hope’s holiday specials, a tradition started in 1950 on NBC, also became part of his commitment to the USO. Between 1964 and 1972, Hope recorded 9 holiday shows in Vietnam. The 1970 show was one of American television’s most-watched events of all time.

Hope was an unstinting supporter of the members of the US armed forces, even at times when their actions were unpopular with the public. During the Vietnam War, it was difficult for Hope to secure talent to travel with, but this did not deter him. He worked with Raquel Welch, Ann-Margret, Connie Stevens, The Golddiggers , even Neil Armstrong .

Why Did Bob Hope Do USO Shows?

Bob Hope’s first holiday USO show was in 1948, during the Berlin Airlift . According to Hope himself, this effort was undertaken because he was expressly asked by the Pentagon. However, his future undertakings with the USO were inspired by this trip and the warm welcome and gratitude from the servicemen and women in Berlin. Hope’s last holiday special ‘Hopes for the Holidays’ was in 1994, almost 50 years after his first.

Was Bob Hope A Veteran?

While the US Navy offered Hope a commission at the rank of lieutenant commander during the Second World War , Hope never served in the military himself. However, for his efforts over many generations to bring joy and recreation to military personnel both at home and overseas, the 

United States Congress conferred the unique honor of being an honorary veteran on Bob Hope in 1997. Hope passed away less than six years later, on July 27 2003, at the age of 100.

For more stories about veterans and military history, check out our TogetherWeServed Blog .

Tags: Academy Award , Ann-Margret , Berlin Airlift , Berlin Airlift in 1948 , Bing Crosby , Bob Hope’ USO shows , Connie Stevens , he was awarded honorary Oscars multiple times , He worked with Raquel Welch , honorary veteran , Jerry Colonna , Korean War , Second World War , The Cat and the Canary , The Cat and the Canary (1939) , The Golddiggers , The Road to Singapore , The Road to Singapore (1940) , the US Navy offered Hope a commission at the rank of lieutenant commander , TogetherWeServed Blog , Tony Romano , US Armed Forces , USO , Vietnam , Vietnam War , World War II

I’m looking for pictures of the 1984 miss uso pagent in Hollywood, ca. I won miss congeniality that year & hit to meet Bob Hope. I was 19. I wish I had pictures to show my kids.

I saw the Bob Hope USO show in Chu Lai Vietnam in December of 1967. I was in a USMC Combined Action Unit (K-1) unit on Hoa Me Island at the entrance to Chu Lai with approximately 12 other Marines. Another guy named “ski” let me take his spot as he had seen it the year before. I never thought to find out his name. I soon went to MTT-1 and after a few months we ended up in Tam Ky about 3 miles inland from the water. From boot camp till I got out I spent 2years 9 months on active duty. I made Sergeant in 2 yrs 6 months but decided not to stay in the service. Before I got out I was in charge of a radio section with approximately 70 guys in it. (mostly waiting to go to Vietnam.

After my 1st tour in Vietnam I was stationed at Camp Zama, Japan as the Adjutant in the Army Transportation Command. The boss was a Full Colonel named Jack Tabb. One morning he stepped out of his office and, as he passed my desk he said, let’s go, we have a meeting. At the meeting a civilian gentleman named Bel Bishop was introduce to us as the “Front man for Bob Hope”. Col. Tab instructed them that myself and my assistant would handle all of his transportation needs during Hopes five day Japan tour. I was raised witty by our old Philco radio then later by a 12inch screen TV. I was elated. That was the beginning of the most intense yet enjoyable assignments of my career. 2nd LT Barry and I met the charter plane at Haneda AP at about 2000 hrs. Of course Bob was first off the plane followed by Anne Margaret, Connie Smith, Miss world from India, Roger Smith and Rosie Greer, Mel Smith, Charlie White (Western Costumes) Les Brown and “His Band of Renown” (numbering 77 musicians), trunks and suit cases to form a mountain, instruments like crazy. “Col. Tab has screwed us I told Barry. Fortunately the gaggle was to stay in a hotel just a too the street from the Officers Hotel (the Sanno where we were staying). The part that drove Bob Hopes popularity to us was later, after getting them to the Hotel (let deal with that mass now), LT Barry and I were enjoying a much deserved cold beer in the Sanno’s Officers Club. The club was getting ready to close and there were many young waitresses scurrying around clearing tables etc. The door opened and in walked Bob followed by Mel Bishop. I waved to Bob and into a Club, which was coat and tie only Bob was wearing a polo shirt, vest and slacks and, carrying a putter. The Maitre ‘d showed up after they had sat down, looked at Bob and said ” Capitan you must tell you guest must have coat and tie,” He then smiled, looked Bob and continued “ahhh, Boba Hoppu des” The entire ensemble was courteous and we did survive. At the airport Bob thanked me, shook hands and then slipped a small box into my pocket, a gold plated cigarette lighter. To this day it has not been used.

I was in the hospital at Camp Zama, Japan after being medivaced from Vietnam in November,1968. I attended a show Hope put on for those in the hospital. I remember Hope opening the show and looking at all the high ranking, brass sitting in the front rows of the theater and he told them – didn’t ask, but told them using some rough language – to move and give the seats to the wounded in the back of the room, many who were on crutches or in wheelchairs. The sight of all the non-wounded, stuff-shirt officers getting up and moving to the back of the room, and the cheers from the hundreds off wounded enlisted men when that happened, still rings in my ears. In November, 2022, I chatted with Ann Margaret while attending the 40th Anniversary Gala of the commemoration of the “Wall” in Washington, DC. about here visit then. A belated “thanks” to Mr. Hope and once again, to Miss Margaret. She is still as beautiful and gracious as ever.

Chu Lai. 1969. The only single piece of sanity in a long and disgusting tour. God bless you and Keep you, Bob and Delores.

I am trying to get a hold of all of the footage just from the USS Midway show in Singapore, December 1972. I served on the Midway and was privileged to have seen Bob Hope at that time. I would like to show the footage to my children and grand children. Would something like this be available for purchase? Thank you.

Hi Jim Welcome home and Happy New Year. You may need to go the Librry of Congress and search for what you want. i was trying to get the video os shwo with Joey Heatherton and Jo Collins.

USO said ro xchec tge LOC as a lot of their records were burned up in a fire. Good Luck

Gregg Lyell

I’m looking for footage from Uso show at Los Angela’s LA Rams football field in 1966 or 1967

Hi Kimberly check with the Library of Congress as the USO said many of their videos were destroyed in a fire and tthey said to chek the library. Gregg Lyell

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clock This article was published more than  25 years ago

REEL ENTERTAINMENT: BOB HOPE'S TOURS ABROAD

Dating back to 1941, Bob Hope's holiday tours to entertain U.S. troops abroad are legendary. No entertainer has traveled so far or so often to entertain so many. For the record, an Act of Congress signed by President Clinton a year ago made Bob Hope an honorary veteran, the first in the history of the United States.

Most of these USO tours aired as television specials, and nine of them, spanning the Vietnam War years of 1964 to 1972, are available in a Real Entertainment home video set, "Bob Hope's Entertaining the Troops -- The Vietnam Years" ($79.99, approximately nine hours, in video stores).

The nine volumes with year, featured guests and places where shows were taped:

1964: Jill St. John, Anita Bryant, Janis Paige, Anna Maria Alberghetti, Jerry Colonna, Les Brown and his band, with stops in Guam, Okinawa, Korea, Thailand and Vietnam.

1965: Joey Heatherton, Jack Jones, Carroll Baker, Kaye Stevens, Anita Bryant, Jerry Colonna and Les Brown and his band, with stops in Guam, Thailand, the Philippines, Wake Island and aboard the USS Ticonderoga. This special won an Emmy Award.

1966: Phyllis Diller, Vic Damone and Joey Heatherton, with stops in Vietnam, Guam, Thailand, the Philippines, Wake Island and aboard the USS Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the USS Bennington.

1967: Raquel Welch, Barbara McNair, Miss World and Les Brown, at Saigon, Long Binh, Danang and Cam Rahn Bay and aboard the USS Ranger and the USS Coral Sea.

1968: Ann-Margret, Rosie Grier, Linda Bennett, Miss World and Les Brown, stopping in Vietnam, Korea, Midway, Thailand, and aboard the USS Hancock and USS New Jersey.

1969: Connie Stevens and Neil Armstrong, fresh from a walk on the moon, took this 15-day, 24,000-mile tour throughout Europe and Southeast Asia and produced one of television's all-time ratings champs.

1970: Ursula Andress, Johnny Bench, Lola Falana, the Goldiggers and Gloria Loring, from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, England, Germany, Thailand, Guam, Korea and Vietnam.

1971: Jim Nabors, Jill St. John, Alan Shepard, Vida Blue and Miss World, with stops at Honolulu, Wake Island, Okinawa, Thailand, Vietnam, Spain and Cuba.

1972: Redd Foxx, Lola Falana and Roman Gabriel, with stops in Japan, Korea, Thailand, Diego Garcia Island, the Philippines, Wake Island, Shemya Island, Vietnam and aboard the USS Midway. CAPTION: Bob Hope chats on stage with, from left, Janis Paige, Gen. William C. Westmoreland, Anna Maria Alberghetti and Jill St. John as he entertains troops at Saigon's Tan Son Nhut airport with the 1964 USO Christmas show. ec

Bob Hope USO Tour — 1963

December: 1963

The alert schedule for the 509 th Air Refueling Squadron was published and my crew was listed to spend Christmas on Reflex Alert duty at Goose Bay, Labrador. Needless to say, my wife and children were unhappy that I would not celebrate Christmas with them. But duty called, and I flew off the frozen north to spend the holidays defending the nation from nuclear attack. 

Upon arrival at Goose Air Base we were pleased to hear that a USO tour featuring Bob Hope and his team of entertainers would be stopping at G

oose Bay for a show before moving on to Europe and the middle east.

This was one many USO tours that Bob Hope performed between 1941 and 1991. Each year he would assemble a group of entertainers and visit the troops who were serving overseas during the holidays. Performances would be filmed and excerpts entertained the folks at home, initially in a movie house or on r adio, and later on television. Prominent stars populated his entourage. The cast usually included beautiful women, singers, dancers, and comedians who acted as foils for Hope. This year’s troupe included Anita Bryant and Jerry Colonna.

The show was performed in a large hangar. The floor of the hangar was filled with seats and airmen who could not find a seat were amassed in any available spot in the huge hangar. It seemed as if the entire base was on hold during the show … however, I am certain that the Strategic Air Command had a skeleton crew to manage the essentials of base operation.

Hope’s banter featured self deprecation, rapid delivery and inside jokes about the base and personnel assigned there. I was impressed on how effortlessly he used large cue cards that contained his dialogue. He was a total professional and a master of timing. A small group of musicians provided exceptional musical accompaniment for his featured singers and dancers. There were many laughs as he made everyone in the audience feel that they were a part of the act. He instilled a strong patriotic message of appreciation for our military service. The show concluded with a rendition of his theme song: “Thanks for the memories” replete with revised lyrics that were adapted for each base on the tour. He was great; what a showman!

Jerry Colonna had been a side kick of Bob Hope since the early 1940’s. He was an accomplished musician as well as being a zany comedian. He had a piercing raucous voice and sang novelty songs that feature loud and sustained musical notes. His banter with Hope was filled with clever word groupings and quips with double meanings. He had big bulging eyes and a prominent mustache below his large nose. He was the essence of vaudeville and early radio.

But, that was Colonna’s stage image. The man who sat with us at breakfast was a quiet and thoughtful man with a soft voice and a peaceful  demeanor. We spoke about the entertainment business and he inquired about our backgrounds and what we were doing in the Air Force. At one point a member of my crew asked him if his mustache was real. Without hesitation he replied: “No, it’s a fake. This one is real!” … as he pulled a large black mustache out of his blue blazer pocket.

Bob Hope will always be in the hearts of the legions of service men and women he entertained during his 57 USO tours. To watch him in action and observe the impact he had on the audience was sometime to behold. A great entertainer … a great patriot! A great American!

Today, the actor Gary Sinise does a good job entertaining our troops with his Lieutenant Dan Band. Unfortunately, other than Gary Sinise, Hollywood and the entertainment industry have mostly been “missing in action” for the last thirty years. It’s a sad commentary!

• Ernest Kaufman – In Memorium
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Getting a better view, 1966

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Cam Ranh Bay, South Vietnam, December 1966: A light post adjacent to the stage provides an ideal vantage point for troops watching Bob Hope and Phyllis Diller during Hope’s annual Christmas tour of the Far East.

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Hope's Greatest Road Show - how Bob Hope entertained troops from 1941 to 1967 | TV Guide January 12, 1968 - East New England

It was 7:30 in the morning of an unusually chilly December day in Los Angeles. A large crowd, including a U.S. Navy band, a Salvation Army contingent and Mayor Sam Yorty (dressed as Santa Claus), was at the airport to see Bob Hope off for his Christmas 1967 trip to Vietnam.

The band blared "Thanks for the Memory." A group of costumed kids sang "Jingle Bells." A rock group twanged. A Salvation Army chaplain led a prayer. Raquel Welch, in abrown minisuit, sat in her car for 45 minutes, isolated from the other members of the Vietnam-bound troupe. Then, when Hope arrived, she sprinted out to pose next to him for the photographers.

They all boarded a huge, windowless military plane-loaded with band equipment, costumes, personal belongings and beer (cases of it, stacked behind the pilot's compartment)-and then they were off on the road to Vietnam. (The tour will be recounted on Hope's NBC special this Thursday Jan. 18.)

It was the beginning of the latest in a long skein of visits to servicemen that have found Hope in many more parts of the world than he and Bing Crosby saw in the seven "Road" movies, which took them from Singapore to Rio. There have been a lot of memories crowded into a quarter-century which began at March Field, Cal., in May of 1941. "That was months before we got into the war," says Hope. "We must have had a premonition."

During World War II, the comedian did his radio show from a different military installation every week. "I loved it," he says, "and I still do. I've always been more or less of a gypsy. In vaudeville, I not only traveled all the time but did benefits every chance I got. As far as I'm concerned, the first day you're not doing something is a disaster day."

He has entertained an audience of 30,000 in Marseilles during World War II and an audience of eight at Northway, a refueling stop between Anchorage and Fairbanks, Alaska. "At first there were just these three or four guys-the night shift was on duty when we landed," Hope recalls. "One of them said, 'Hey, we're in the service, too. How about doing a show for us?' So I got up on a stump and started telling some jokes. While I was talking, the day shift guys woke and stuck their heads out of the tent flaps. At first they couldn't believe it. Then they started coming out, one at a time. Finally there were eight of them."

Hope has done shows while he had a temperature of 102 and after receiving the last rites from a priest. As he puts it, "When the band starts, you gotta go." On his first trip to Vietnam, there was a bullet hole in the plane, and he has put on shows within two miles of mortar fire. Some years before, as he left the stage at Pyongyang, Korea, he passed a dead child in the road ("He had just been shot"), and two weeks later saw pictures of the stage where he had performed burning after an air raid. Last year, captured Vietcong documents revealed that he and his troupe missed a planned bombing of the Brinks Hotel in Saigon by 10 minutes.

Sometimes it is difficult to go on and be funny, not because of any imminent danger to the entertainers but because of what they know about the men they are to entertain. Hope recalls, "In '44, we played before 15,000 Marines on an island in the South Pacific. We knew that they were invasion troops and that half of them would never come back. Later we found out that 60 percent of them were knocked off."

It is things like this which make him resent critics who say that he entertains GIS because they are such a responsive audience. "Just as if I'd go out there because it makes a good show!" he snorts.

On a trip to Tunis in 1943, Hope spotted a familiar face in the audience. He says, "Before the war, there was this guy that used to stand by the gate at NBC every week and ask if I had an extra ticket to the show. I'd always give him one, and he was always there. When I walked onstage in Tunis, there he was in the audience, in uniform. He just sort of waved at me casually-you'd have thought we were back in Hollywood."

Name a military installation, and Bob Hope has probably been there. It is estimated that he has traveled 6,000,000 miles-innumerable trips during World War II and the Korean conflict; Berlin during the air lift of 1948; Alaska in 1949; the Pacific in 1950; Greenland, 1954; England and Iceland, 1955; Alaska again in 1956; the Orient, 1957; the Azores, North Africa, Iceland and Europe, 1959; the Caribbean, 1960; Newfoundland and Greenland, 1961; the Orient again in 1962; the Mediterranean, 1963; and South Vietnam and other Far Eastern bases in the years since.

He has received more than 700 awards and citations, including the Medal of Merit, presented by General Eisenhower; a tribute signed by 1,000,000 GIs, presented by President Truman; a gold medal authorized by Congress and presented by President Kennedy; and a USO plaque presented by President Johnson.

But a few blocks from Hope's Palm Springs home is a man who knows a side of the comedian which is not mentioned in the citations nor ap- parent in the flip Hope jokes. His name is Don Kimsey. During the Korean War, a badly wounded Marine, he was pushed forward in a wheel chair to sing for Hope. After his performance Hope told him to get in touch with him when he got back to the States-that he might be able to help him. Kimsey did exactly that, and Hope got him on television. Eventually Kimsey became a vocalist with Tommy Dorsey's orchestra. Now, as a soloist, he stars at one of the swank Palm Springs hotels.

Although Hope is proud of the roomful of awards and citations he has received, he undoubtedly gets more satisfaction from what he has done for ordinary GIs like Don Kimsey -whose story, by the way, he did not tell himself. Now, after more than a quarter of a century on the road, he says, "It's a lot of work-from the time you wake up in the morning until you go to bed at night, you never have a minute. But it's a very exciting, gratifying thing, and I wouldn't have it any other way." Neither would a few million GIs.

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At the peak of his powers, legendary comedian Bob Hope made multiple visits to Alaska

Bob Hope, the 39-year old entertainer stopped in Fairbanks while on a 1942 USO trip to Alaska, accompanied by (L-R) comic Jerry Colonna, singer-actress Frances Langford and guitarist Tony Romano. This photo is on display in the offices of KFAR radio/TV in Fairbanks, Alaska. (Creative Commons)

Part of a continuing weekly series on Alaska history by local historian David Reamer. Have a question about Anchorage or Alaska history or an idea for a future article? Go to the form at the bottom of this story.

Long before the Grateful Dead and Ozzy Osbourne played at Anchorage’s West High, the school was the host for a very different type of entertainer. During one of his many tours to entertain the troops, vaudevillian comedian extraordinaire Bob Hope headlined two shows there in late 1956, just a year after the school opened.

Hope (1903-2003) was one of America’s most famous actors and comedians, especially during his 1940s to 1950s peak. Over eight decades in show business, he appeared in theater productions, radio programs, television shows, movies, comic books, books and every other medium you could imagine. He starred in 54 films — in addition to numerous minor appearances — including one partially set in Alaska. “Road to Utopia,” part of the Hope and Bing Crosby hit “Road to ...” series of movies, was released in 1946. Hope and Crosby play good-natured con artists during the Klondike Gold Rush.

The movie poster for Bob Hope's 1945 film "Road to Utopia" with Bing Crosby.

In addition to his performing career, he is also well remembered for his volunteer efforts to support American troops via his lengthy partnership with the United Service Organizations (USO), which provides entertainment to members of the United States Armed Forces. Between 1941 and 1991, from World War II to the first Persian Gulf War, Hope headlined 57 USO tours, and this is how he ended up in Alaska.

Hope first visited Alaska in 1942, also his first USO tour outside the contiguous United States. Among several stops across the territory, Hope was scheduled to appear at a dance party in downtown Anchorage. The stage was built, and on Sept. 16, roughly 4,000 locals showed up despite the rain, almost certainly the largest crowd in city history to that point. Just three years earlier, before the construction of Fort Richardson, there were less than 3,500 residents within city limits.

Unfortunately, Hope and his traveling troupe were trapped aboard an airplane circling overhead, unable to land because of dense fog. Said Hope, “I was a little concerned. Oh, boy. The fog ran right down to the ground and there we were flying over the town and couldn’t get into the airport. We were flying at 13,000 feet and it was blowing sleet. It looked really bad, brother ... We were afraid we would crack into the hills at any minute.”

Everyone aboard donned parachutes. One of the engines on the Lockheed Lodestar C-60 iced up, sputtered and quit. The radio went out. As the airplane lost altitude, Hope worked his way forward and told pilot Robert Gates, “Everybody back there is praying.” Gates replied, “You tell ‘em don’t stop!” Once the ground lost radio contact, the commander at Elmendorf ordered the searchlights switched on, a significant gesture given wartime blackout protocols. The pilots spotted the glow through the weather and safely landed. With the out-of-commission engine, they could not taxi in, so the various military brass in attendance rushed to the field to verify Hope had survived. Though he missed the downtown show, Hope gained a legendary story for his repertoire.

Bob Hope's 1942 permission to enter Alaska form. Travel restrictions were in place due to World War II.

In December 1949, Hope returned and toured military bases at Kodiak, Fairbanks and Anchorage, speaking to around 5,000 service men and women at an Elmendorf Field hangar. The following November, he played Alaska again, including a two-hour performance with 40 other entertainers for a reported 10,000 military personnel in the same Elmendorf hangar. A Cup’ig mask from Nunivak Island and several ivory pieces were among the gifts showered upon the comedian.

Bob Hope movies played at the Empress and Fourth Avenue theaters while his shows were constants on radio and television, but the man himself returned to Anchorage in 1956. Confirmation came late with a single month’s advance notice. Hope and company would perform at Elmendorf Air Force Base and Fort Richardson in Anchorage, as well as Ladd and Eielson Air Force Bases outside Fairbanks.

An advertisement for Bob Hope's 1945 film "Road to Utopia" with Bing Crosby, which played at the Empress Theater in Anchorage.

Comedian Jerry Colonna, who was also a passenger on the nightmarish 1942 C-60 flight, joined Hope as he did on so many tours. The other entertainers included actress and dancer Ginger Rogers, singer Peggy King, actress and gossip columnist Hedda Hopper, Miss Universe Carol Morris, musician Les Brown, the Purdue University Glee Club, and the novelty folk group, the Del Rubio Triplets.

One of the accompanying personalities was about as famous as Hope, though certainly not for his acting ability. Baseball legend Mickey Mantle, then the American League triple crown winner and reigning most valuable player, also made the trip north. His visit marked the first public Alaska appearance by a current major leaguer since Stan Musial, Dixie Walker, and Hank Borowy took part in a military base tour during World War II.

A “Welcome Bob Hope” banner was strung across Fourth Avenue. Upon arrival, the performers good-naturedly endured an hour-long ceremony outside city hall in subzero temperatures, stamping their feet to keep warm on a makeshift stage. When the crowd applauded their appearance, Hope joked, “Thank you, thank you, it’s nice of you to take your hands out of your pockets.” After an introduction to 1956 Miss Fur Rendezvous Bobby Wilkinson, Hope declared, “the most beautiful pair of frozen legs I’ve ever seen!”

As in 1942, 1949, and 1950, Hope’s primary intent was to provide entertainment for troops, service men and women often stationed far from their homes. However, this time, he also scheduled two shows off base. On Dec. 20 and 21, he and his troupe performed at the Anchorage High School (now West High School) auditorium. Technicians and crew from NBC filmed both shows and edited them into an episode of “The Bob Hope Show,” which aired on Dec. 28, the first network television show filmed in Anchorage.

After initially limiting attendance to enlisted men, women and their families, the military opened some balcony seats to the civilian public. The Chamber of Commerce handled the distribution of those tickets and, unsurprisingly, exclusively offered them to the “respective heads of community-wide organizations, service clubs, school and city authorities.” In other words, attendees were either in the military, a military family member, or a local VIP.

In the Anchorage Daily Times, editor Bob Atwood opined, “Bob Hope can go a long way toward accomplishing what Alaskans have been trying to do for years. Through his show he can help win a better understanding of Alaska among the people of the nation. He can help overcome the misconception of Alaska as bleak land of dogteams and igloos.” Atwood was too optimistic. As might be expected, Hope leaned into the Alaska cliches, including totem poles, weather, gold mining and dog sleds, for jokes. Regardless, the crowd ate it up.

The show began with a Bob Hope monologue. He hit on the military early on, saying, “They have all kinds of servicemen up here, in Alaska. They have the Army, Navy and Air Force. It’s a new unified command, and it’s working out beautifully. It’s the biggest crap game you ever saw. I don’t know what stakes they play for, but I was looking around Anchorage this morning, and it’s the first time I ever saw a B-47 jet transport in a hock shop window.” “And I want to tell you one nice about these men up here, they all volunteered.” He paused while the military crowd booed, then added, “for Honolulu.” The crowd erupted in laughter.

About the weather and seasons in Alaska, he noted, “I don’t care what you’ve heard about the weather up here, it’s true ... right now it’s about 10 degrees below. I don’t know what it is outside. Up here, Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer isn’t a song; it’s a weather report.” He added, “Seriously, I didn’t believe how cold it was up here until a seal came over and begged me to make a coat out of him.” “The time I really love up here is sunrise. Also sunset. It’s the same time. You get up at 10 in the morning and say, ‘nice day wasn’t it.’ ”

Bob Hope does his opening monologue for "The Bob Hope Show" filmed in Anchorage.

And about the wildlife, he said, “I mean it though, the hunting here is really great, where else can you shoot a walrus without it getting out of your bunk? It’s rugged country. One soldier I know rolled out of his lean-to one morning and shaved three times before he realized he was staring into a bear.”

From there, the program shifts into the first of two lengthy skits. Hope plays a clueless tourist and rock collector who takes a taxi to a dive bar. As this scene is set in Alaska, the cab is actually a dog sled driven by Anchorage musher Earl Norris. The bartender, played by Colonna, asks Hope, “How much money you got?” Hope, who had made enough visits to Alaska to know about the high prices, replies, “I’ve been touring for quite a while up here. I haven’t got much left; I bought a meal.”

A skit with Bob Hope on a sled from "The Bob Hope Show" filmed in Anchorage.

As Hope empties his pockets, he finds a yellow rock: gold! Suddenly, he has everyone’s attention in the saloon, including the bartender, servicemen, townies, and a passing polar bear. The sultry Ginger Rogers enters and seduces Hope for the location of his gold strike. Finally, he relents and agrees to draw a map on Rogers’ naked back. The cheers from the men in the audience grew louder at this point.

The identical Del Rubio Triplets sing while the cast and backstage crew prepares for the next skit, which features Hope as a veteran, seen-it-all Army sergeant. An announcer declares, “he rules his men with an iron head.” After Hope orders the men to “polish the rocks and change the snow, it’s getting dirty,” a colonel intrudes and orders Hope to treat his men more gently. “You’re running the men too hard. You’re not treating them like human beings,” says the colonel. “But they’re soldiers,” Hope replies.

However, a pampered fresh recruit, played awkwardly by Mantle, tests Hope’s patience with the new mandate. The recruit’s gear includes slippers, curtains for his bunk, and a letter from his mother requesting “not wake him too early in the morning.” Unable to handle a gentler Army, the sergeant is demoted to private.

The Purdue Glee Club sings, Peggy King sings, Hope dances with Rogers, and Lt. General Frank Armstrong, Alaska commander in chief, thanks the performers. Hope then closes the show in a more somber fashion, noting, “These men of the Alaska Command stand between you and possible attack. Our hats are off to them.” The itinerant entertainers made their escape amid the howling cheers. There were always more shows, more towns to hit.

Key sources:

“Auditorium Jammed for Bob Hope Performance.” Anchorage Daily Times, December 21, 1956, 1, 11.

“Bob Hope Troupe Plays to 10,000 at Base.” Anchorage Daily Times, November 2, 1950, 1.

“Famed Gag Nearly Kicks Hope in Neck.” Anchorage Daily Times, September 24, 1942, 1.

“Final Plans Underway for Bob Hope Show.” Anchorage Daily Times, December 17, 1956, 1.

Gallagher, Jay. “Mantle Scores Hit in Debut as ‘Mama’s Boy’ TV Actor.” Anchorage Daily Times, December 21, 1956, 1, 12.

“Hope, Mantle Coming to Alaska.” Anchorage Daily Times, November 20, 1956, 1.

“Hope Show Tickets Out.” Anchorage Daily Times, December 20, 1956, 1.

“Little Hollywood.” Anchorage Daily Times, December 19, 1956, 8.

Maksel, Rebecca. “ Thanks for the Memories: Air Crews Recall Their Service as roadies for Bob Hope’s USO Show .” Smithsonian Magazine, January 2010.

Pumphrey, Fritz. “Cold Weather, Warm Hospitality Welcome Hope in Civic Ceremony.” Anchorage Daily Times, December 22, 1956, 1, 9.

“Rental Allowance Boost Set for Servicemen.” Anchorage Daily Times, December 24, 1949, 1, 3.

“Stellar Visitors.” Anchorage Daily Times, December 22, 1956, 6.

David Reamer | Histories of Alaska

David Reamer is a historian who writes about Anchorage. His peer-reviewed articles include topics as diverse as baseball, housing discrimination, Alaska Jewish history and the English gin craze. He’s a UAA graduate and nerd for research who loves helping people with history questions. He also posts daily Alaska history on Twitter @ANC_Historian.

The 10 Greatest USO Performers

By The Veterans Site

For more than 75 years, the United Service Organizations Inc. (USO) has supported U.S. military members by providing them programs and entertainment during their service. Whether it’s in USO centers around the country or on military bases around the world, the USO works hard to bring a slice of home to those serving abroad and in distant lands.

Over the last seven decades, some of the country’s best performers have taken the USO stage to entertain troops with music, dancing, and comedy routines. Here’s a look at 10 of the greatest performers to grace the USO stage.

10. The Andrews Sisters

The Andrews Sisters were a popular singing group of the swing and boogie-woogie music eras. Consisting of sisters LaVerne, Maxene, and Patty, the group was quite active from the late 1930s into the early ’50s, and boasted sales of more than 75 million records over the group’s career. The sisters performed extensively for troops of the Allied forces during World War II, frequently singing their hit song, “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” as part of their USO performances. The Andrews Sisters were instrumental in boosting morale toward the war effort, encouraging the sale of war bonds through their music, and often wearing military uniforms as they performed. The group took a break from their act in the mid-1950s, but later continued to perform. Despite the death of LaVerne in 1967, the Andrews Sisters remained active until disbanding in 1975.

9. Danny Kaye

8. John Wayne

7. Bob Hope

The name “Bob Hope” just seems to be synonymous with the USO, as Hope devoted so much time to the organization and the troops. The comedian and actor participated in 57 USO tours, visiting military members during World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the first Gulf War. President Bill Clinton named Hope an “Honorary Veteran” in 1997, to which Hope said, “I’ve been given many awards in my lifetime — but to be numbered among the men and women I admire most — is the greatest honor I have ever received.”

6. Mickey Rooney

5. marilyn monroe.

4. Nancy Sinatra

The eldest daughter of legendary crooner Frank Sinatra, Nancy Sinatra went on to have a successful singing career of her own in the 1960s and early ’70s. She scored a hit with the 1966 song, “These Boots Are Made For Walkin.'” During the Vietnam War, Sinatra visited and sang for troops at the U.S. military bases near Saigon.

3. Steve Martin

Support Veterans

Provide food and supplies to veterans at The Veterans Site for free! →

Image / Bob Hope speaking with a group during USO tour to Korea

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Mcallen performing arts center, 956.681.3800, medford, or, craterian theater, 541.779.3000.

November 16th | TBD

The Fillmore Miami Beach at Jackie Gleason Theater

305.673.7300.

December 30th | 3pm

Midland, TX

Wagner noel performing arts center, 432.552.4435, minneapolis, mn, orpheum theatre, 612.339.7007.

December 7th | 1pm

December 7th | 5pm

Missoula, MT

Dennison theatre, 406.243.4051.

November 24th | 1pm

Monterey, CA

Golden state theatre, (831) 649-1070, nashville, tn, fisher center for the performing arts, 615.889.3060.

December 13th | 7pm

New Orleans, LA

Saenger theatre, 504.525.1052.

December 30th | 7pm

North Charleston, SC

N charleston coliseum pac, 843.529.5000.

December 14th | 4pm

December 14th | 8pm

Palm Desert, CA

Mccallum theatre, (760) 340-2787, pasadena, ca, pasadena civic auditorium, 626.449.7360.

December 13th | 4pm

December 13th | 8pm

Phoenix, AZ

Arizona financial theatre, (602) 379-2888.

December 22nd | 3pm

Rapid City, SD

The monument, (605) 394-4115, redding, ca, redding civic auditorium, 530.229.0022.

November 10th | 3pm

Rochester, NY

Auditorium theatre, 585.222.5000.

November 9th | 3pm

Rosemont, IL

Rosemont theatre, 847.671.5100.

December 8th | 2pm

December 8th | 6pm

San Antonio, TX

Majestic theatre, 210.226.5700.

December 27th | 7pm

December 28th | 4pm

December 28th | 8pm

December 28th | 12pm

San Diego, CA

Jacobs music center, (619) 235-0804, santa rosa, ca, luther burbank center, 707.546.3600, sarasota, fl, van wezel performing arts hall, 941.263.6799.

December 27th | 3pm

Seattle, WA

Moore theatre, 206.682.1414.

November 17th | 1pm

Shreveport, LA

The strand theatre, 318.226.8555.

November 19th | 7pm

Sioux Falls, SD

Washington pavilion, (605) 367-6000, somerville, nj, raritan valley pac, 908.725.3420.

November 29th | 4pm

November 29th | 8pm

Spokane, WA

First interstate center, 509.279.7000, springfield, mo, gillioz center for arts & entertainment, (417) 863-9491.

November 24th | 4pm

St Louis, MO

Fabulous fox theatre, 314.534.1678.

December 22nd | 2pm

December 22nd | 6:30pm

St Petersburg, FL

Mahaffey theater, 727.892.5767.

December 28th | 3pm

December 28th | 7pm

December 29th | 1pm

December 29th | 5pm

Stockton, CA

Bob hope theatre, 209.373.1400.

November 9th | 7pm

Syracuse, NY

Landmark theatre, 315.475.7979.

November 10th | 1pm

Centennial Hall

520.621.3341, capital one hall, 703.343.7651, virginia beach, va, sandler center for the performing arts, 757.385.2787.

November 27th | 3pm

Visalia, CA

Visalia fox theatre, 559.625.1369.

December 15th | 1pm

December 15th | 5pm

Wallingford, CT

Toyota presents oakdale theatre, 203.265.1501.

November 8th | 7pm

Wheeling, WV

The capitol theatre, (304) 233-4407.

November 11th | 7pm

Wichita, KS

(316) 263-0884, wilkes barre, pa, fm kirby center for the performing arts, 570.826.1100, capitol theatre, 509.853.2787.

November 18th | 7pm

Learn more about Nutcracker near Beverly Hills, FL ! Not your area? Select your location here .

America’s Nutcracker!

Give the gift of NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet ! to the whole family. Celebrate America’s favorite Christmas tradition with an international all-star cast that blends world-class ballet with whimsical puppets, lavish costumes, and stunning acrobatics! Share the tradition of pure Holiday magic and Tchaikovsky’s timeless score with friends and family of all ages. Don’t miss this chance to create memories of a lifetime. Get tickets now!

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THE PRINCIPALS

NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet features gifted artists from around the world with Principal artists from Ukraine, Japan, Turkey and beyond. Our cast of Principal dancers are trained at the top institutions of Europe to create a classical aesthetic that audiences have come to expect from international level productions. These men and women embody our belief that dance and performing arts are the way to build cultural bridges and create unity across oceans and among our own communities. Learn more about our principals and their stories here.

Hot ticket…magnetic sense of theater

New York Times

Technically supreme dancing, dazzling… authentically opulent…

Technical prowess was…truly “great”…whimsical sets and giant animal stick puppets and colorful costumes … stellar arabian variation…breathtaking, “christmas cheer…virtuosity…bravura expertise”, “commitment to the theme of love and peace”, “hot ticket…knockout… kids wide-eyed”, “few pack the punch”, nutcracker in the community.

Youth participation is at the heart of NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet.  Every performance features a children’s cast, lovingly included to bring an irreplaceable spark of energy to the performances. Community engagement is critical for the success of the fine arts and the cities NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas visits annually. From the Girls Scouts to elementary school immersion days to University level arts program collaborations, for communities to thrive, we need the connection the performing arts provide.

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SEPTEMBER 20, 2022

“Like a time capsule, capturing the richness and fullness that once defined all ballet”

“Something for everyone”

“Head Jester Mikhail Ovcharov seemed to fly through the air with his cabrioles and grand jetes–a definite audience favorite”

“It was a treat to see probably some of the finest ballet artists in the world. This is probably as good as it gets”

“This production captivated us with classic ballet traditions while adding new choreography, hand painted sets, and beyond beautiful hand sewn costumes”

“A heightened sense of reality, folk tales and folk dances transmogrified into sinuous spectacle”

“One of the most transcendent cultural experiences I have had in a long time”

Experience the legendary!

Swan Lake, the ballet of all ballets, will be performed one night only as a part of the World Ballet Series.

See the iconic Dance of the Little Swans, count the 32 fouettés performed by the Odile, and immerse yourself in magical Tchaikovsky’s music.

The production will feature richly detailed, hand-painted sets as well as over 150 radiant costumes that bring fresh representation to this timeless classic.

My daughter and I attended the show last night in Bristol, TN. I wish we could see it again… the dancers are amazing!

We were able to see you in Riverside and it was phenomenal! Thank you so much for such a beautiful production!!

Went to the Pittsfield show last night. My daughter and I LOVED it. We where in awe of the beauty and talent. Thanks you!

Saw you in McAllen! Wonderful show. Thank you!

You were beautiful and hysterical and a joy to watch dance! Can’t wait until the WBT comes back to Riverside California!

Saw it in Roanoke, VA. It was absolutely wonderful! The costumes, sets, lighting, the talented dancers made it a night to remember. Bravo!!

I got to see them 2nd row from the stage. The costumes were absolutely Brilliant!! I will be seeing them again!

It was the most beautiful performance I have ever seen. So glad I didn’t miss it…

Thank you for a wonderful performance! We loved it!

It was FABULOUS!!! The costumes are unbelievable and the cast phenomenal ♥️♥️♥️

Princess Odette is taking a walk along the shore of the lake. She meets a mysterious stranger who frightens her. Rothbart is captivated by Odette's beauty and asks for her hand and heart, but the Princess refuses him. In anger, Rothbart turns Odette into a beautiful white swan. Now the only one who can save her is the one who will fall in love with her, take an oath of faithfulness and keep that oath.

Spring day. In the park of the ancient royal castle, Prince Siegfried is celebrating coming of age. Eligible young ladies of the Prince's court seek his attention, but he is not in a hurry to tie himself in marriage. Graceful dances of gentlemen and ladies are followed by Jester's funny performances. Siegfried's Princess-mother appears, accompanied by her entourage. She congratulates the Prince on his maturity and presents him with a crossbow. Siegfried is delighted with the gift. The Princess-mother retires with her entourage. The party continues, but the Prince gets bored, and he asks everyone to leave. Siegfried goes to the lake to hunt.

Prince is on the shore of a beautiful lake. The evil wizard Rothbart watches him. A flock of swans comes to swim in the lake. Siegfried is surprised to see that the swans are turning into girls. The swan queen Odette tells the Prince that she and her friends are victims of the evil sorcery of the wizard Rothbarth, who turned them into swans. Only at night, near this lake, can they take on human form. The terrible charms will continue until a man who has never sworn love to any girl loves Odette for life. Siegfried swears eternal love and faithfulness to Odette. But the evil sorcerer has seen everything and is already making a cunning plan on how to separate the two lovers. It's getting light. Odette says goodbye to her lover. The flock of swans swims away.

In the castle of the Princess-mother a big ball is held, dedicated to the Prince's birthday. At this ball, by his mother's will, Siegfried must finally choose his bride. Guests appear, brides show themselves off to the Prince. Mother asks Siegfried to make a choice. He hesitates. Suddenly an unknown knight appears with a beautiful daughter Odile. Odile, in every way emphasizing her resemblance to the swan girl, seduces the Prince. Siegfried makes his choice - convinced that Odette and Odile are one person, he declares Rothbart's daughter as his bride and swears eternal love to her. Rothbart and Odile laugh at him. A white swan is beating its wings on the window of the castle. Siegfried realizes his fatal mistake. In desperation, he rushes to the swan lake.

Lake shore. The swan girls are anxiously awaiting the return of Odette. In desperation, she tells them about Siegfried's treason. The evil wizard triumphed, and now the girls have no salvation. A storm begins on the lake. The Prince runs ashore, begging Odette for forgiveness. The evil wizard stirs up the natural forces against Odette and Siegfried. But the two lovers are not terrified by thunder and lightning, and the storm does not frighten them. The Prince fights with the keeper of the lake and defeats him. Epilogue. Evil charms no longer have power over Odette. The swan turns into a beautiful princess and together with Siegfried joyfully meets the first rays of the rising sun.

VERONICA OVCHINNIKOVA

ANDREA LASSAKOVA

RAZMIK MARUKYAN

EKATERINA MALKOVICH

IRINA SAPOZHNIKOVA

• Swan Lake: Odette / Odile

Veronica Ovchinnikova, born in the small village of Tolochyn, embarked on her ballet journey at the age of 6. After over 10 years of ballet studies in college and the State Music Academy of Belarus, Veronika was invited to perform at the Bolshoi Theater of Belarus, where she quickly became a soloist.  

Veronica’s talent and dedication have been recognized on the international stage, as she has been a laureate of ballet competitions in Ukraine (Kharkov), Latvia (Riga), and Russia (Novosibirsk). She also toured to Germany, Spain, Belgium, Austria, China, France, and Mexico.

Veronica’s repertoire is vast and impressive, including standout performances in “Swan Lake” (Odette-Odile, Big Swans, Spanish Dance), “Sleeping Beauty” (Lilac Fairy), “Giselle” (Myrtha), “Fountain of Bakhchisaray” (Zarema), and “Cinderella” (Fairy Godmother), among others.

Despite her achievements, Veronica remains humble, dreaming of seeing whales and finding joy in the simple pleasures of life. She draws inspiration from “The Lion King,” finding beauty and meaning in its narrative.

Veronica’s favorite roles are Giselle, Anna Karenina, and the Lilac Fairy in Sleeping Beauty.

• Cinderella: Fairy Godmother
• The Nutcracker: Sugar Plum Fairy

Andrea Lassakova was born in Dolny Kubin, Slovakia, and received her dance training exclusively with Klara Skodova at the Eva Jacz Dance Conservatory in Bratislava, the primary training facility for the Slovak National Ballet. She graduated from the Conservatory in 2011, and the same year joined the Slovak National Theatre as a demi-soloist, where she performed roles in ballets including The Nutcracker , Sleeping Beauty , Le Corsaire , La Sylphide , the Swan Lake , Giselle and The Little Prince .

In 2013-2014, Andrea moved to Finland and became a dancer of the Youth Company of the Finnish National Ballet. In 2014-2015, she joined the Finnish National Ballet’s Main Company. In 2015, Andrea moved to St. Petersburg, Russia, and joined the Mikhailovsky Ballet by invitation as soloist, and was promoted to the rank of First Soloist in 2021, dancing major principal repertoire including Odette/Odile in the Swan Lake , Medora in Le Corsaire , Gamzatti in La Bayadere , Lilac Fairy in Sleeping Beauty , Queen of the Dryads in Don Quixote , Queen of Willis in Giselle , Fairy of the Summer in Cinderella and Sylvia variation from Coppélia by Messerer.

Andrea was one of the few ballerinas to work under the tutelage of Madame Tatiana Nikolaevna Legat. From 2021-22 she was coached by former Kirov Ballet Prima Ballerina Zhanna Ayupova and worked frequently with choreographers Nacho Duato, Oleg Vinogradov, and Mikhail Messerer.

• Swan Lake: Prince Siegfried

Razmik Marukyan was born in Armenia and began dancing at 9. After graduating from the Yerevan Choreographic School in 2016, he was invited to the Armenian National Opera and Ballet Theater.

Razmik’s dream is to become the best in his profession. Despite his young age, Razmik has already earned multiple awards: Second prize and silver medal winner – the VII International Young Ballet of the World Competition named after Yuri Grigarovich; Finalist Diploma and Jury Award of Encouragement – USA International Ballet Competition; Finalist Diploma Award – Moscow XII International Ballet Competition in 2017; First prize and Best Artistic Performance Awards Winner – Concours Prix Arabesque, Belgium, 2017; Certificate of Honor – the National and Academic Opera and Ballet Theater of Armenia.

His favorite fairy-tale hero is Prince Désiré, “because despite the difficulties he does everything to save Aurora”.

Razmik’s advice to an aspiring ballet dancer is to start dancing as early as possible, to remember that the ballet dancer’s professional career is quite short, do not waste time thinking about the difficulties, but just do it (he himself, for example, rehearsed for an average of 8-10 hours per day to prepare for the solo roles), maintain your health, and don’t let anyone stop you!

• Swan Lake: Pa de Trois
• Cinderella: Cinderella, Stepsister
• The Nutcracker: Marie

Ekaterina Malkovich was born in Abakan, Russia, and she is World Ballet Series principal dancer. The former Ural Opera Ballet star and two-time nominee for the coveted Golden Mask Award says of the role: “I think that my own character and worldview are somewhat similar to that of Cinderella. Despite her circumstances, she looks at the world with kindness and never allows anger or grief to get the better of her.”  

Ekaterina graduated from Novosibirsk State Choreographic College, formerly Perm State Ballet School (class of the Honored Artist of Russia Galina Vedenina). She joined the Yekaterinburg Opera and Ballet Theater’s Ural Opera Ballet in 2013. Malkovich has danced numerous soloist and principal roles including Giselle in Giselle , Gamzatti in La Bayadere , Kitri in Don Quixote , and Paquita in Yuri Krasavin’s Paquita (2019) for Ural Opera Ballet. She has garnered many awards, including Laureate of the International Competition of Choreographic Educational Institutions “Orleu” (Kazakhstan, 2010) and Diploma of the International Competition of Ballet Dancers “Arabesque” (Perm, 2016), and earned nominations as best artist for the prestigious Golden Mask Award in 2017 as Juliet in Romeo and Juliet and in 2018 as Giannina in Naiad and the Fisherman .

Ekaterina took up gymnastics at five years old and began dancing a year later. Her professional dance career started when she was ten.

After completing her training at the Novosibirsk State Choreographic College, she went on to perform at Yekaterinburg Opera and Ballet Theatre for over nine years.

Ekaterina performed on the main stages of the Bolshoi Theatre, Stanislavsky Theatre, and Alexandrinsky theatre, as well as the Samara Theatre and Kyrgyz National Opera and Ballet Theatre as an invited Prima.

Ekaterina’s favorite character is Alice in Wonderland – she is strong and brave but at the same time naive and honest. She is very smart despite her young age.

Ekaterina’s dream is to one day open her own ballet school.

• Swan Lake: Jester
• Cinderella: Prince
• The Nutcracker: Prince

Konstantin Geronik was born in Kyiv, Ukraine, and graduated from the Belarusian State Choreographic College in 2010 with distinction. He joined the ballet company of the National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theatre of the Republic of Belarus. He has danced numerous leading roles and his repertoire includes Basilio in Don Quixote , Ali in Le Corsaire , The Bronze Idol in La Bayadère , James in Sylphide , Prince in The Nutcracker , Siegfried, Joker and Pas-de-trois in the Swan Lake , Chipollino in Chipollino , Desire, Blue Bird in Sleeping Beauty , Peasant Pas de deux in Giselle , Frondoso in Laurencia , Mercutio in Romeo and Julie t. Geronik has toured Germany, France, Spain, China, Japan, The Netherlands, Belgium, Mexico, and Poland as a principal dancer.  

He has received multiple international awards and nominations, including: 1st Prize at the Young Ballet of the World competition in Sochi (2010), 1st Prize at the Tanzolymp competition in Berlin (2011), 1st Prize winner of The 4 Beijing International Ballet Invitational for Dance Schools & International Dance Performance Series (2012), the 3rd Prize winner of The International Competition of The Ballet Artists in Astana in 2016, the 2017 National Theatre Award as the best male dancer for his lead role in Le Petit Prince , and in 2018 Konstantin received the title of The Honored Artist of Belarus.

Konstantin also had an artistic collaboration with the founder and director of the international festival World Ballet Stars Vadym Pysarev and has performed as a guest artist at Nina Ananiashvili’s Gala Concert, who has been described by the Daily Telegraph as one of the twelve greatest ballerinas of all time.

Irina was born in a small town in Russia, (town of Abdulino, Orenburg region). Since childhood, she loved to dance and from the age of 4 she began to attend a ballet class. She first appeared on stage at the age of 6, and immediately fell in love with it.  

At the age of 11, she entered the Bashkir Choreographic School named after R. Nureyev (Rudolf Nureyev took his first dance steps at this school and after that went on to St. Petersburg to enter The Vaganova Academy). She studied there for 8 years and after graduating from the ballet school with honors she was accepted into the ballet troupe of the Bashkir State Opera and Ballet Theater (Ufa). Gradually, having gone through the entire corps de ballet, she began to dance solo parts in classical and modern ballets.  

In 2010, for the first time, Irina went to a ballet competition in the city of Istanbul and won her first silver medal. This was a huge victory for her and a big push for future victories. After this competition, for several years, Irina won 6 silver medals at other international competitions, including the world-famous competition in the city of Jackson (USA), which takes place every 4 years.  

After working at the Bashkir Theater for 6 years, Irina, at the invitation, moved to the city of Vladivostok, where a new theater was opened (2013), the Mariinsky Theater in the Far East. In this theater, she performed the leading roles in all performances. Repeatedly, as part of the troupe of this theater, Irina danced on the historical stage of the Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg.  

Since December 2021, Irina has returned to the Bashkir Opera and Ballet Theater as a prima ballerina, where she has been working to this day. In 2015, Kanat Nadyrbek came to Vladivostok at the invitation of the leadership to perform the part of Siegfried in the ballet Swan Lake. Irina was his partner and this is how they first met. Three years later, they got married, and in 2020 the couple had a daughter. To this day, they often dance together a varied classical repertoire and also tour the world.  

PHILIP FEDULOV

Philip Fedulov comes from Philadelphia, USA, and started dancing when he was 7. He studied dance at the Ellison Ballet in New York and has danced with Houston Ballet and Orlando Ballet. In 2011, Philip became the finalist of the prestigious ballet competition Youth America Grand Prix New York, and in 2015, he received an award at the Domenico Modugno International Ballet and Contemporary Dance Competition in Bari, Italy. From 2013 to 2021, he was the Leading soloist in the Georgian State Ballet, where he danced a large variety of mostly classical ballets. In 2021, Philip joined the Latvian National Ballet Company as the Principal.

Philip says his dream is to stay healthy, dance to the best of his ability, and inspire future generations. Philips’s inspiration is the mythical hero Achilles, for his incomparable strength and abilities. He says that in the past, he felt as though he didn’t love Basilio from Don Quixote because of how one-dimensional the character seemed throughout the entire 3-act ballet. However, he’s grown to appreciate him more by bringing more of himself into the role.  

Philip’s least favorite steps are grand allegro jumps that involve turning in the air to his “bad” side. “It’s quite uncomfortable because of how rarely I can train them compared to my “good” side,” he explains. His favorite ballet and role would be Romeo in Romeo and Juliet . Philip says that he loves the wide spectrum of emotions and his premiere of this role was a very special time.  

When asked what he would advise someone starting ballet, he says, “As quickly as possible, cultivate the ability to see yourself critically and accept which areas you need to work on. It’s only at that point that real progress can be made.”

ANTON KRAVCHENKO

• Swan Lake: Prince Siegfried, Rothbart

Anton was born in Minsk. He graduated from the Belarusian State Choreographic College. While still in the last years of study he was accepted into the troupe of the Bolshoi Theater of Belarus. Possession of bright artistic and technical abilities allowed him to achieve success in the shortest possible time and become the Premier of the Bolshoi Theater of Belarus. Over the years of work, there was not a single performance in which he would not take part. Each role performed by him makes you think and leaves a mark on your heart for many years, and the possession of natural stage charm leaves no one indifferent and makes every viewer fall in love with him.  

During the period of work, he participated in all tours of the theater, in more than two dozen countries. He enjoys great respect and influence in the team. He passes on his brilliant skills and experience to the younger generation, being not only a teacher at the Belarusian State Choreographic College, but also a teacher-tutor at the Bolshoi Theater of Belarus. His sense of style and ability to think outside the box was repeatedly used by choreographers when staging new performances, when he was involved as an assistant director ( Anastasia , Polovtsian Dances , Faust , The Little Humpbacked Horse , etc.).  

In 2008, for achievements in the profession, he was awarded the Francysk Skaryna medal, and in 2013 he was awarded the honorary title of Honored Artist of the Republic of Belarus. In the summer of 2022, for outstanding creative achievements, merits in the field of culture and art, he was awarded the title – People’s Artist of Belarus!

Nuradil Abdynazarov

• Swan Lake: Mazurka

Nuradil was born in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, where he discovered his passion for ballet. He graduated from Bishkek Choreographic School, laying the foundation for a remarkable career.

From 2013 to 2015, he graced the Kyrgyz National Academic Opera and Ballet Theater stage. Subsequently, he embarked on a new chapter with the Imperial Russian Ballet in Moscow, Russia, from 2015 to 2022. His journey led him to the Tbilisi State Opera and Ballet Theater named after Zakaria Paliashvili in Georgia for the 2022-2023 season before returning to the Imperial Russian Ballet.

Throughout his career, Abdynazarov has portrayed a diverse array of roles across a wide range of ballet productions. From classic works such as “The Nutcracker” and “Swan Lake” to more contemporary pieces like “Scheherazade” and “Carmen,” he has demonstrated his ability to bring characters to life with depth and authenticity. His repertoire includes iconic roles such as the Prince in “The Nutcracker,” Otello in “Othello,” and many others, showcasing his versatility and artistry.

Shuaib Elhassan

Adelya nazyrova.

• Swan Lake: Black Swans, Russian Dance

Adelya Nazyrova started her dance odyssey at the age of 6. In 2015, she graduated from the Kazan Choreographic School further polished her skills with an internship at the Vaganova Academy.

Adelya showcased her talent in acclaimed ballets such as “Swan Lake,” “La Bayadère,” and “Sleeping Beauty,” enchanting audiences on international tours to London and Japan.

Adelya Nazyrova’s aspirations extend beyond the stage, as she dreams of opening a space for children to explore various dance styles under the guidance of diverse teachers.

For Adelya, there are no unloved roles, only opportunities to express her passion. Even in her least favorite movement, the Gargouillade, she infuses her performances with dedication and grace. From iconic roles like Swan Lake’s Odette-Odile to the complexities of Anna Karenina, Adelya Nazyrova’s love for dancing shines through, emphasizing that enjoyment on the stage is paramount.

Aaron Robison

Marcos ramirez, rasmus alghren, james whiteside, fabrice calmels, isabella boylston, adji cissoko, sasha de sola, aviva gelfer – mundl, roman mejia, kanat nadyrbek.

Born in a small town in Kyrgyzstan – the town of Balykchy, Kanat never thought about ballet as a child, just played football and enjoyed the delights of country life. At the age of 11, his family moved to the capital of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek, and he needed to continue his studies somewhere. His uncle, the People’s Artist of the USSR, the famous ballet dancer Cholponbek Bazarbaev, having looked at his natural abilities, advised him to enter the ballet school. Thus began the story of Kanat in ballet.

While still a high school student, Kanat already danced solo parts at the Bishkek Academic Theater. In 2010 he began to cooperate with the Moscow troupe “Moscow City Ballet.” From 2012 to 2014 he was a soloist of the ballet theater in Seoul “Universal ballet.”

In 2015 he moved to Vladivostok as the premier of the Mariinsky Theater of the Primorsky Stage (there he met Irina Sapozhnikova – his future wife).

He repeatedly danced on the Historical Stage of the Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg the classical repertoire of World Ballet Series.

In 2021 he was invited to the Bashkir Opera and Ballet Theater as the premiere of the ballet troupe. At the moment he is the premier of the ballet troupe of the Kyrgyz Academic National Opera and Ballet Theatre, also the premier of the Bashkir Opera and Ballet Theater and the invited premier of the Rostov Musical Theater (Rostov-on-Don).

DARYA MEDOVSKAYA

• Swan Lake: Odette / Odile, Pa de Trois, Big swans
• Cinderella: Fairy Godmother, Stepsister
• The Nutcracker: Columbine, Russian Dance

Darya was born in the town of Smorgon, Belarus, and she fell in love with dancing from a young age, taking ballroom dancing and jazz classes. At the age of nine, Darya began her professional classical dance training. She eventually graduated from the Belarusian State Choreographic Gymnasium-College and received a degree in teaching from the Belarus State Academy of Music.

Darya danced solo parts in every production of the Bolshoi Theatre of Belarus’ repertoire, as well as leading roles, such as Gamzatti in La Bayadere , Odette/Odille in the Swan Lake , Kitty Scherbatsky in Anna Karenina , Tzarina in The Firebird , and many others.

Darya’s favorite ballet is Anna Karenina . Her favorite fairy tale character is Belle from Beauty and the Beast because she is courageous, kind to everyone, and pure of heart.  

When it comes to the least favorite ballet move, Darya is not a fan of fouetté efface .

Darya hopes to visit all the beautiful and historical places of the world.

A piece of advice to her younger self: Be brave, don’t hide your potential. Modesty is a virtue, but it only holds you back when it comes to ballet.

SOFIA MATIUSENSCAIA

• Cinderella: Cinderella

Sofia Matyushenscaia was lucky to be born in a family of professional ballet dancers in Chisinau, Moldova, and began to dance from an early age, from around 6 years old.

She studied at the National Choreographic College and trained in Italy in the city of Milan. She is a graduate of the Academy of Theater Music and Fine Arts, Faculty of Education. She performed leading roles on the stages of the Bolshoi Theatre, the Mariinsky Theatre, the Stanislavsky Theatre.  

Sofia doesn’t believe in having favorite parts in ballet, because in any part a dancer can find interesting nuances and ways to realize their talent and emotions. But if she really has to tell, she’ll confess that it’s Giselle. She does have a move that she finds rather challenging: pirouette attitude en dehors.

Her favorite fairy tale character is Leopold the Cat, because he is very friendly and avoids conflict at all costs – his attitude to life sets an example that any misunderstandings or difficulties can be resolved peacefully.

Sofia’s dream is to open her own ballet school.

An interesting fact about her: Sofia was nominated for Best Actress in the play Don Quixote at the Golden Mask festival.

To her younger self, or to an aspiring ballerina / aspiring ballet dancer, she would say: look for individuality in yourself, strive to make any movement uniquely yours, despite of the limits that classical ballet imposes.

• Swan Lake: Prince, Pa de Trois
• Cinderella: Prince, Prince’s Friend

Egor Burba was born in Krasnodar, Russia, and completed the primary classes at the Perm State Choreographic College. In 2015 he graduated from the Vishnevskaya College of Musical and Theater Arts in Moscow, and in 2020 he received a bachelor’s degree in Choreographic Performance from the Vaganova Academy.

Egor is a winner of many international competitions: Winner of the International ART Festival-Competition “Debut” (Moscow 2013); Laureate of the 3rd degree in the 2nd International Youth Competition of Classical Dance Performers “The Nutcracker Invites” (Russia 2014); Laureate of the 3rd degree Ballet-Festival “Dance Triumph” (Germany 2014).

Since 2015, he has been the soloist of the Cheboksary Opera and Ballet Theatre (Russia), since 2017 – an artist of the L. Yakobson St. Petersburg State Academic Ballet Theater (Russia), and since 2022 – first soloist of the National Theatre in Belgrade (Serbia).

Egor’s performances include: Albrecht, Peasant Pas de deux in Giselle ; Prince, Pas de deux of the Blue Bird and Princess Florine in The Sleeping Beauty ; Prince in The Nutcracker ; Pas de trois, Jester in the Swan Lake ; Pas de deux in Le Corsaire ; Pas de trois in Paquita ; Golden God in La Bayadere ; and he performed leading roles on the stage of the Mariinsky Theater and the Alexandrinsky Theatre.

Egor’s dream is to travel the globe and to see every country the world. His favorite fairy tale hero is Carlson, because it was his favorite cartoon from childhood. His least liked role is the Prince’s Friend in the Swan Lake , because, he says, this character’s line is very undeveloped and constricted. His least favorite ballet move is Pique Soutenu.

To his younger self or to an aspiring ballerina / aspiring ballet dancer he would say: Don’t try to do movements without giving it a thought first, and always spend enough time warming up.

LEONARDO CELEGATO

Leo’s dream is to become a dancer people buy tickets to see on stage, whatever show he is in.

He was born in Padova, Italy and started his dancing career at the age of seven. His training began at John Cranko Schule Stuttgart followed by attending Vienna State Opera Ballet Academy and Vaganova Ballet Academy. After completing his education Leo spent a year dancing as part of the Joffrey Ballet Studio Company, performed the Solor part in the Bayadere at the Mariinsky Theater and now is a Demi-Soloist in Estonian National Ballet.

His favourite ballet role is the White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland, perhaps this is because he had such a fun time exploring this quirky and entertaining character while working on Gianluca Schiavoni’s production the ballet in Estonia. Leo finds joy in movement and expressing emotions and his personality on stage, so he is not a big fan of static roles. His dream role is Basilio in his favourite ballet Don Quixote.

A piece of advice to his younger self:

“Have more faith in the power of your passion and energy. It is OK not to be like the others and to bring your unique ideas to your dancing.”

YEVGENIY RYBKIN

• Cinderella: Prince’s Friend, Dance Tutor
• The Nutcracker: Soldier Doll, Spanish Dance

Yevheni was born in Kazakhstan, Almaty, and he started dancing when he was ten years old.

He studied at the Almaty Choreographic School named after A.V. Seleznev, danced at the Astana Opera Theater in Astana, participated in the entire repertoire and in the corps de ballet and various small solo parts.

Yevheni has a daring dream list and he wants to try skydiving, to swim with the whales and to star in a movie or series.

His favorite fairy tale character is The Simpleton dwarf in Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs , because he is cheerful and just enjoys what he has.

Yevheni’s most disliked ballet parts are the inserted pas de deux and pas de trois, because they are complex but ungrateful parts, and his most disliked move is the adagio .

His favorite ballet and character is Spartacus.

His advice to his younger version is: Work hard and participate in all competitions. Don’t be afraid and don’t complicate things in your head.

ANGELINA ZGURSKAYA

• Swan Lake: Black Swans, Hungarian Dance
• Cinderella: Stepmother
• The Nutcracker: Arabian Dance, Mrs. Stahlbaum

Angelina loves ballet for its vivaciousness. She was born in Pleshenitsy – a small town in Belarus, and took up gymnastics when she was six, then gradually moved on to ballet by the age of ten. Angelina received her training at the Belarusian State Choreographic Gymnasium-College and she also graduated from the Belarus State University of Arts and Culture with a degree in Cultural Studies.

Angelina’s least favorite parts are those rather static roles which require more walking than dancing. She enjoys herself the most when moving and expressing herself in various characters and styles. The most challenging dance moves for her are the ones that require turnout – Angelina had to work hard on her turnout from an early age.

A piece of advice to her younger self: Always find good use for your free time. Keep improving, and never doubt yourself. You can do it!

EKATERINA LUKIANOVA

• Swan Lake: Pa de Trois, Brides
• Cinderella: Stepsister
• The Nutcracker: Marie, Columbine, Candy Dance

Ekaterina likes trying new techniques in ballet and dreams of visiting Paris.

Ekaterina was born in Kaliningrad. She started dancing when she was eight years old – first as a member of the ensemble called “The Dream”. After some time, when she realized that dance was more than a hobby for her, Ekaterina moved to Minsk, Belarus, to receive her professional ballet performer training at the Choreography College.

Ekaterina danced on the stages of the Bolshoi Theatre of Belarus, Royal Opera House Muscat, and other renowned venues. Her roles include Maria in La Halte de Cavalerie , the Beloved in Straussiana , The Fairy of Generosity in Sleeping Beauty , Step Sister in Cinderella , Angela in Creation of the World , and Little Swan in Swan Lake .

Ekaterina’s least favorite ballet move is assemblé . She also came to learn that sometimes a new part that seems wrong at the beginning – it may contain a challenging technique, or an unusual character temperament – becomes her favorite through the work process. Ekaterina likes to find ways to bring color to a character and make it uniquely her own. Thus, she turns the roles that she initially disliked into the best and most interesting ones.

Ekaterina’s favorite fairy tale character is the Little Prince because he teaches us to look within, to be loyal, responsible, to value friendship and love. Her favorite ballet role is Giselle.

A piece of advice to her younger self: Be brave, don’t be afraid of anything, because the dream is stronger than fear.

ELDIIAR MARAT UULU

• Cinderella: Prince’s Friend
• The Nutcracker: Mouse, Spanish Dance

Eldiiar was born in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, and started dancing at the age of ten at the Bishkek Choreography College. He continued his training at the Kyrgyz State University of Culture and Arts and graduated in 2021 as a teaching choreographer.

Eldiiar gained a vast performing experience at home, on the grand stage of the Kyrgyz National Opera and Ballet Academic Theatre.

His favorite ballet is Don Quixote (he would like to one day dance Basile), and his favorite character is Spartacus from the ballet of the same name because of the main character’s will to fight for freedom. In the contrast, his least favorite role is Hans from Giselle , because the love triangle between Albert, Giselle, and Hans eventually drove Giselle mad.

Eldiiar hopes that one day there will be peace on Earth and wishes for more kindness in the world.

A piece of advice to his younger self: Work smarter, not harder.

MAKSIM VLAS

• Swan Lake: Rothbart, Hungarian Dance
• Cinderella: Mouse
• The Nutcracker: Drosselmeyer

Maksim was born in Minsk, Belarus, and started dancing when he was 6. His dance career began in a ballroom dancing class, but after a while, Maksim found himself in the world of ballet. He received his training at the Belarusian State Choreographic Gymnasium-College and was invited to the Bolshoi Theatre of Belarus. Since then, Maksim has performed on various stages across the world.

Maksim does not have the least favorite dance moves; there are only those he is yet to master. His least favorite character is Crassus in Spartacus – he is vain, full of hubris, and thinks he is invincible out of ignorance.

A piece of advice to his younger self: Have more confidence in yourself!

SAADI IMANKULOV

• Swan Lake: The Jester’s Dance
• The Nutcracker: The Nutcracker Toy

Saadi aims to become the best at what he does, and even though dreams like this don’t always come true, he believes one should absolutely dare to dream big.

He is from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, and started his ballet training rather early at the Bazarbayev Bishkek Choreographic College from which he graduated in 2014. Saadi continued his education at the Kyrgyz State University of Culture and Arts, graduating in 2020.

Saadi has many favorite roles, but one character, whose life, passion, and pain he would like to experience, is Crassus in Spartacus . He also likes Basile in Don Quixote and Kasym in Mother’s Field . Saadi’s least favorite ballet moves are adagio and cabriole ; the roles he likes the least are those which do not give the performer much space for dramatic expression.

A piece of advice to his younger self: There are no small roles, only small actors.

• Swan Lake: Big Swans, Russian Dance
• Cinderella: Dance of the Oranges
• The Nutcracker: Candy Dance

Edyta was born in Wrocław, Poland. She began dancing when she was four years old and completed her training at the State Ballet School in Berlin, Germany. She has gone on to perform at the Wrocław Opera, Theater Dortmund and Theater Magdeburg. Her favorite ballet role is Giselle – a beautiful story teaching us that one should never play with the feelings of others.

A piece of advice to her younger self: Never give up.

EGOR AZARKEVICH

• Swan Lake: Rothbart

Egor Azarkevich graduated from the Belarusian State Choreographic College and joined the ballet company of the National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theatre of the Republic of Belarus in 2007. He is famous for his portraying of the Slave and Solor in  La Bayadère, Ali in  Le Corsaire , Siegfried and Von Rothbart in  Swan Lake , Romeo, Tybalt and Paris in  Romeo and Juliet , Soloist in  Paquita , Spartacus and Crassus in  Spartacus , The Price in  The Nutcracker , Khan Girey and Vaslav in  The Fountain of Bakhchisarai , the Poet and Goliard in  Carmina Burana , Rogneda`s brother in  Passions (Rogneda) , Phoebus in  La Esmeralda , God and Adam in  The Creation of the World , Price in Snow   White and the Seven Dwarfs , Hans in  Giselle , Gurn in La Sylphide , Shakhzaman in  Scheherazade , Tristan in  Tristan and Isolde , His Excellency and Student in  Anyuta , Espada in  Don Quixote , Price and Désiré in The Sleeping Beauty , Dark Angel and Boy in  Serenade , The Vizier in Thamar , José in  Carmen Suite , Soloist in  Bolero , Ivan in  The Firebird , Bahram in  Seven Beauties , The Pilot in  Le Petit Price and many others.

Egor has toured Germany, France, Spain, Belgium, Italy, China, Mexica, South Korea, Syria, Egypt, and Lebanon as a principal dancer.

Egor obtained a diploma in Rudolph Nureyev International Ballet Competition (RNIBC) in Budapest as a finalist in 2008.

HARUKA NOMURA

• Swan Lake: Little Swans, Pas de trois, Mazurka
• The Nutcracker: Chinese Dance

Haruka was born in Japan and started studying ballet in Kyoto when she was 7 years old.

In 2013-2015 she trained at the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet (class of Professor Lyudmila Kovaleva). In 2015-2022 she worked at the Astrakhan State Theater of Opera and Ballet in Russia, and from 2017 was promoted to leading soloist.

She is the 3rd prize winner of the Russian-Japanese Eurasia competition 2019. She toured Germany, England, Spain, and China.

The highlighted roles of her career include: Masha/Princess in The Nutcracker , Giselle in Giselle , Aurora, Princess Florine in Sleeping beauty , Pas de trois in the Swan Lake , Queen of Dryads, Street Dancer in Don Quixote . Also, Sylphide in La Sylphide, Black Swan Pas de dux from Swan Lake, Pas de dux from Talisman, Pas de dux from Le Corsaire 3rd act, and more.

Haruka’s dream is to have her own big book library. Her favorite fairy tale is The Three Musketeers , which she read many times as a child. She is especially fond of the characters of D’Artagnan and Athos, because they are brave and smart, fight against evil, and their resourcefulness gets them out of any trouble they find themselves in.

Haruka likes a good choreographic challenge and prefers complicated parts which allow for a range of movement. Her favorite ballet role is Giselle because Giselle is a very emotional, lyrical character, and she is in love. “When I dance Giselle, I can feel Giselle’s emotions, happiness, pain, sadness and love… and I want to convey these emotions to the audience” – she says.

Her advice to an aspiring ballet dancer is: Have no fear, dance with your soul, express your emotions, and have fun!

ALINA RYBAKOVA

• Swan Lake:  Big Swans, Black Swan, Brides
• Cinderella: Stepsister, Dance of the Oranges
• The Nutcracker: Arabian Dance

Alina was born in Minsk. As a child, she went to preparatory ballet classes, and they danced in those very same ballet classrooms of the college in which she later enrolled while still in the fifth grade – the Belarusian State Choreographic Gymnasium-College. After graduating from there, she was hired by the Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theater in Minsk. She worked there for two years, first as a corps de ballet dancer, and then at the end of the second year she was promoted to coryphée.  

While working in the theater, she danced both group and coryphée parts, such as the corps de ballet of the entire female repertoire, as well as the Stones and Great Maid of Honor from the ballet Sleeping Beauty , classics from Don Quixote , insertion variation from Don Quixote , Pa Daxion from Paquita , Two Willis from Giselle , Brides from the Swan Lake .  

Alina’s dream is to have a strong, loving family and a house by the sea. She doesn’t have any specific favorite fairy-tale hero, but she really loves all the fairy tales and cartoons with animals.  

There is no ballet role that she doesn’t love or wouldn’t like to try to perform. As a child, Alina loved to do the rond de jambe en l’air . She loves the ballet Don Quixote and the role of Kitri.  

Alina believes that it is impossible to achieve something great without hard work, and that you need to work on yourself every day, developing both physically and spiritually.

ALEXANDRE ISCHENKO

• Swan Lake: Spanish Dance
• Cinderella: Dance Tutor
• The Nutcracker: Fritz

Aleksandr was born in Kobrin (Belarus), and when he was 2 years old, his parents moved to Ukraine (Crimea).

He studied at the Kiev State Choreographic School until the 9th grade and completed his education at the Belarusian State Choreographic Gymnasium-College.

Aleksandr danced at the Bolshoi Theater of Belarus for 4 years.

His biggest dream is peace in the world. His favorite hero is The Little Humpbacked Horse, because he is very kind, cheerful and devoted to his owner-friend.

Aleksandr finds that his least favorite ballet move is jete entrelasse , and his favorite ballet is Romeo and Juliet , where he loves the character of Mercutio.

A message that he would like to pass on to his younger self is: You will succeed, just start stretching right now.

VAGIZ SULTANOV

• Swan Lake: Jester’s Dance
• Cinderella: Dance of the Clocks, Guest at the Ball
• The Nutcracker: Butler, Walts of the Flowers

Vagiz Sultanov began his captivating dance journey at the age of 6. His formative years were spent honing his craft at the Bashkir Choreographic College, named after the legendary Rudolf Nureyev.

Vagiz’s artistry unfolded on prestigious stages, including the Rostov State Theater (2014-2019) and the Astrakhan Opera and Ballet Theater (2021-2023). His repertoire is as diverse as it is impressive, featuring notable performances in ballets such as Swan Lake, Bayadère, Nutcracker, Corsair, Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, Color, Prince Igor, The Snow Maiden, Don Quixote, Raymonda, Sylphide, Bolero, Gayane, and many more.

Grand Rond in adagio holds a special place in Vagiz’s heart, showcasing his love for the intricate and expressive movements within the ballet realm. Additionally, the ballet “Tom Sawyer,” curated by Rinat Abushakhmanov, stands as a testament to Vagiz’s commitment to bringing new and innovative ideas to life.

Vagiz Sultanov, with his rich and varied repertoire, continues to inspire audiences with his dedication, creativity, and relentless pursuit of excellence in the world of ballet.

JOY GILLIAN REDINGTON

• Swan Lake: Spanish Dance, Waltz
• Cinderella: The Guest at the Ball, Entourage
• The Nutcracker: Walts of the Snowflakes, Walts of the Flowers

MAKIKO MIYASHO

• Swan Lake: Spanish Dance, Black Swans, Waltz
• Cinderella: Entourage, Guests at the Ball

Born in Takamatsu, Japan, Makiko’s love for ballet began at the age of 10 when she started training at the Koike Ballet Studio and Emiko Ikemoto Ballet School in Hiroshima. Her pursuit of excellence led her to participate in the Summer School by the Washington School of Ballet. In 2008, she gained admission to the Perm Choreographic School, where she graduated with honors.

Makiko’s professional career as a ballet dancer spans over a decade, encompassing performances in various renowned theaters. From 2011 to 2017, she showcased her talent as a soloist at the Tchaikovsky Opera and Ballet Theater, followed by a tenure at the Bashkir Opera and Ballet Theater from 2017 to 2020, where she excelled in both corps de ballet and solo roles.

Since 2021, Makiko has immersed herself in studying the Cecchetti ballet method as a ballet teacher with the “Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing” in England. Her dedication and talent were recognized in 2022 when she was awarded the “Teachers Study Award” by the Cecchetti Society Trust in England, earning a scholarship to join their prestigious Summer Seminar.

Driven by her love for ballet and a desire to inspire others, Makiko continues to pursue her dreams, aspiring to dance for as long as she can and to share the joy of ballet with audiences around the world.

TATIANA SULIAK

• Swan Lake: Mazurka Dance, Waltz
• Cinderella: Entourage, the Guest at the Ball
• The Nutcracker: Waltz of the Snowflakes, Waltz of the Flowers

Tatyana Sulyak found her passion for ballet at the tender age of 6 in her hometown of Pruzhany. By the age of 10, she had embarked on a journey to Minsk, enrolling in the Belarusian State Choreographic College, where she honed her skills for eight years. In 2018, Tanya joined the prestigious Bolshoi Theater of Belarus, gracing its stage until 2023.

With a repertoire spanning classics like Giselle, Swan Lake, Corsair, Bayadère, and Sleeping Beauty, Tanya’s versatility shines through. Her heart finds joy in portraying the spirited “gypsies” in Esmeralda and the enchanting “pussycat” in Sleeping Beauty. Since 2023, she has been enchanting audiences as a cast member of the World Ballet Company.

Tatyana’s favorite ballet character is the stepsister in Cinderella, a role that tugs at the heartstrings and brings smiles to viewers.

Away from the stage, Tanya dreams of extensive travel, a flourishing family, and setting an example for her children. A firm believer in the magic of effort, she draws inspiration from Harry Potter, reminding us that miracles happen with determination.

Tatyana Sulyak echoes the sentiments of her mentor, who once said, “You can do much more than you think.”

DMITRY LAZOVIK

• The Nutcracker: Chinese Dance, Soldier Doll

Dmitry believes that there is no such thing as a bad role. He was born in 1991 in Slutsk, Belarus and right after graduating from Choreographic College in 2011 was invited to join Belarus State Academic Musical Theatre as a principal dancer.

Ironically, Dmitry is a recipient of a “Crystal Slipper” Diploma. In 2014, he became a laureate of the 2nd International Baltic competition and also received an award for his contribution to the performing arts from the Minsk City Council.

His favorite cartoon character is Timon from The Lion King because his positivity can charm anyone.

Dmitry believes that every role gives a performer an opportunity to grow. However, his favorite one is Romeo from Romeo and Juliet.

His least favorite ballet move is Gargouillade.

Dmitry hopes to show as many people around the world as possible that ballet is not boring.

A piece of advice to his younger self: “Keep working. This is the best profession in the world.”

GALINA IANOVSKAIA

• Swan Lake: Brides
• Cinderella: the Guest at the Ball, Entourage

ILYA TUROCK

• Swan Lake: The Prince’s Tutor
• Cinderella: King
• The Nutcracker: Mr. Stahlbaum

Ilya fell in love with dance at the age of 5, and that’s when he started his ballet journey, finding his rhythm in a folk dance club. By 11, he made his first steps into formal dance education at the BGHGK.

Ilya’s dedication to his craft led him to the prestigious NABTOB, where he danced the entire corps de ballet repertoire, showcasing his versatility and passion for ballet. Like his favorite character, Shrek, Ilya values loyalty and love. He draws inspiration from Shrek’s devotion to his wife, Fiona, and steadfast friendships with the donkey and cat. In Ilya’s world, there’s no room for betrayal—only genuine connections and camaraderie.

DIANA SEMISOKHA

• Swan Lake: Hungarian Dance
• The Nutcracker: Waltz of the Flowers, Waltz of the Snowflakes

IGOR GANCHARYK

• Cinderella: Mouse, Dance of the clocks
• The Nutcracker: Waltz of the Flowers

A seasoned traveller, Igor lived and worked in many countries of the world, including Dubai and China.

He was born in Minsk and started dancing when in the second grade. Right after graduating from Choreographic College in Minsk, Igor was invited to the Belarus Musical Theatre, where after three months he was promoted to soloist. In 2014 Igor moved to Dubai, where he lived and worked with his wife for two years, after which the couple received and accepted an invitation to move to China for three years.

Igor loves fairytales. But favourite fairy-tale character depends on the current preference of his little daughter. His least favourite ballet role was Shakhriyar in 1001 Nights, because Igor was offered to dance the part at the age of 19 and was convinced he would not rise up to the challenge. It seemed to him that at such young age it would be impossible to play a wise, grown-up king.

A piece of advice to his younger self: “Good job! You’ve done everything right. Have no regrets and never betray your principles.”

ANASTASIA PAVLOVA

• Swan Lake: Big Swans, Brides

Anastasia’s path to ballet started from ice-skating.

She was born in Saint Petersburg and had a love for sports since early childhood, when she began ice-skating at the age of four. After some time she took up gymnastics and eventually started dancing at the age of nine. Anastasia has completed her training at the Vaganova Ballet Academy in Saint-Petersburg and was invited to dance at Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet.

As a permanent company member of the World Ballet Series, she performed such roles as Pas de Trois, Big Swans’ dance, Walz, Bride’s dance, Spanish dance, and the Russian dance in Swan Lake, the Waltz of Snowflakes (Solo), Waltz of the Flowers (Leading couples), and the Russian dance in the Nutcracker.

Anastasia’s dreams to continue doing the work that she loves, and that brings her joy. Her favourite fairy-tale character is the Little Mermaid, and favourite ballet is Swan Lake – even though it is one of the most difficult ballets to perform. As for the role she would like to perform one day, it would definitely be Aurora from “Sleeping Beauty”.

A piece of advice to her younger self:

Always believe in yourself, never despair, never give up.

NURBOL MARLISOV

• Swan Lake: Hungarian dance
• Cinderella: Dance of the Clocks
• The Nutcracker: Chinese Dance, Dance of the Flowers

ALEXANDRA MOROZOVA

Alexandra’s dream is to realize herself in her profession. She finds inspiration in Belle from “The Beauty and the Beast,” admiring her self-sacrifice and ability to see the inner beauty in people.

Despite her success, Alexandra remains humble, unable to recall her least favorite ballet role. Her favorite ballet is “Carmen Suite”, particularly resonating with the character of Carmen.

Alexandra offers words of encouragement to aspiring dancers, urging them not to fear the unknown but to move forward boldly.

ERLAN MEDERBEKOV

• Swan Lake: Mazurka, Hungarian Dance
• Cinderella: Mouse, Dance of the Clocks
• The Nutcracker: Doll

Erlan Mederbekov, a native of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, discovered his passion for dance at the age of 11 when he began his training at the Bishkek Choreographic School. During his studies, Erlan completed an internship at the Kyrgyz State Opera and Ballet Theater, where he danced in all the theater’s repertoire performances. In 2018, he graduated from the college and joined the troupe of the Astrakhan State Opera and Ballet Theater, where he became a corefey in 2020, working until 2022.

Erlan’s repertoire includes a variety of roles from “The Nutcracker” to “Don Quixote,” “La Bayadere,” “Swan Lake,” “The Godfather,” “Romeo and Juliet,” “La Sylphide,” and “Le Corsaire,” Erlan has captivated audiences with his performances.

Dreaming of showing the whole world to his parents, Erlan finds inspiration in Mufasa from “The Lion King,” admiring his selflessness and dedication to his family. While he doesn’t have a favorite move, Erlan admits to disliking the daily warm-up routine. His favorite role is Hans from the ballet “Giselle,” appreciating the character’s authenticity and lack of pretense.

Erlan would advise his younger self to be true to his principles and values, emphasizing the importance of staying authentic and true to oneself in the world of ballet.

ALEXANDRA RAKOVSKAYA

• Swan Lake: Russian Dance

KYUNSUN PARK

• Swan Lake: Little Swans

Kyunsun Park was born in Korea, yet received a Vaganova Ballet education which gives her performances their own unique fabric.

She was trained at the Russian Ballet Academy in Japan, spent three years at the Vaganova Ballet Academy and performed with the Odessa State Opera and Ballet Theatre.

Most majestic for her, thus far, has been her time as a soloist at the Yekaterinburg State Academical Opera and Ballet Theatre.

Kyunsun’s finesse and prowess no doubt comes from her training with Irina Sytnilova (formerly a Mariinksy soloist and Associate Professor at the Vaganova Russian Ballet Academy) and “Sir of Dance,” Gennady Selutsky, one of the most honored professors at the Russian Ballet Academy who danced for over 35 years with the Mariinsky Ballet.

VICTORIIA MAZINA

In the intricate world of ballet, Victoria finds her most minor favorite movement to be the “fondue” at the barre, grappling with the challenge of maintaining poise and fluidity at a slower pace. However, her heart resonates profoundly with “1001 Nights,” particularly drawn to the enchanting character of “Nurida” for its mesmerizing melodies, exotic essence, and captivating storyline.

Reflecting on her journey, Victoria imparts sage advice to her younger self, urging her always to strive for advancement, for in the ballet realm, stagnation finds no sanctuary. Her relentless pursuit of growth and refinement serves as a beacon of inspiration to budding dancers, reminding them of the imperative of continual progress in realizing their aspirations within the ballet universe.

IGOR MATSKEVICH

• Swan Lake: Mazurka Dance
• Cinderella: Father
• The Nutcracker: Spanish Dance

VALERIA GRUDINA

• Swan Lake: Hungarian Dance, Black Swans
• Cinderella: Russian Dance

CRISTINA PAVONE

• Swan Lake: Big Swans
• The Nutcracker: Walts of the Flowers

EKATERINA ARTEMENKO

• Swan Lake: Little Swans, Mazurka
• Cinderella: Entourage, the Guest of the Ball

Ekaterina Artemenko, a native of Minsk, Belarus, embarked on her artistic journey with a unique blend of rhythmic gymnastics and dance. From the ages of 2 to 10, she enchanted audiences with rhythmic grace before transitioning to the choreographic college.

For two years, Ekaterina graced the stage of the Bolshoi Theater of Belarus, immersing herself in a diverse repertoire. From the whimsical Cupid in Don Quixote to the enchanting Princess in The Nutcracker and the playful Fairy of Carefree to the Little Red Riding Hood in Sleeping Beauty, her versatility shone through. The Neapolitan dance in Swan Lake and many more roles showcased Ekaterina’s prowess and artistry.

Beyond the stage, Ekaterina’s dreams extend to travel, yearning to explore diverse countries and cultures. Her approach to roles is nuanced, recognizing the challenges and joys in each, with a special fondness for the delightful experience of portraying children in The Nutcracker. There, spontaneity and creativity reigned, allowing for fun and humorous improvisations on stage.

Jumping and spinning are Ekaterina’s cherished moments in classical lessons, especially relishing the thrill of big jumps. Her favorite ballet, Don Quixote, captivates her with its vibrancy and diverse characters, creating a tapestry of joy and excitement.

Ekaterina, with a touch of humor, would advise aspiring ballet dancers to ponder the challenges of the demanding profession.

Ekaterina Artemenko, a versatile artist, continues to leave an indelible mark on the ballet stage, blending athleticism, creativity, and a love for dance.

ALEXANDER KOROBTSOV

• The Nutcracker: Mouse

Alexander Korobtsov, born in Mogilev, Belarus, began his ballet journey at 6.

Immediately after graduation, Alexander received an invitation to join the cast of the Bolshoi Theatre of Belarus and, in two years, to join the World Ballet Company.

Dreaming of conquering the peak of a high mountain, Alexander finds inspiration in the main character of the cartoon “Ninth,” admiring his purposefulness and loyalty to friends. Despite his admiration for various characters, Alexander admits his least favorite ballet role is Albert from “Giselle,” as he feels remorseful for deceiving Giselle, leading to her tragic demise.

In ballet, Alexander’s most minor favorite move is the fondue in the middle. However, his love for ballet shines through in his favorite ballet, “La Bayadère,” particularly identifying with the character Solor.

LIIA BIISHEVA

Liia Biisheva, born in Ufa, embarked on her dance journey at age 4 and delved into professional practice by 11. She honed her passion and talent at the Bashkir Choreographic College, refining her skills and artistic expression.

Liia’s talent has graced prestigious stages, including the Yekaterinburg State Opera and Ballet Theater, the Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg, and the Primorsky stage of the Mariinsky Theater. Her performances have enraptured audiences, highlighting her versatility and artistry.

With dreams of scaling new heights in her career, Liia draws inspiration from the world of ballet. Her journey stands as a testament to dedication and passion, motivating aspiring dancers to pursue their dreams with unwavering determination.

MIZUKI MATSUMOTO

• Swan Lake: Black Swans, Brides
• The Nutcracker: Waltz of the Flowers, Walts of the Snowflakes

Mizuki Matsumoto, a gifted artist from Japan, commenced her remarkable dance journey at the tender age of 3. Her formative years were dedicated to the art of ballet at the Ecole de ballet MU in Japan. Later, at the age of 17, she embarked on a transformative chapter at the prestigious Vaganova Academy.

Mizuki’s artistry graced the stage of the Astrakhan State Opera and Ballet Theater, where she brought her talent to life through captivating performances. Her aspirations extend beyond borders, echoing her dream to travel the world, experience diverse cultures, and enrich her artistic perspective.

Enchanting audiences with her grace and skill, Mizuki finds inspiration in the character Belle from “Beauty and the Beast.” Drawn to Belle’s bravery, intelligence, and refusal to judge based on appearances, Mizuki identifies with these noble qualities.

Mizuki’s preferred move is Allegro, showcasing her love for lively and brisk movements. Her chosen ballet, “Vain Precaution,” features her in the role of Lisa, where she adds her own artistry to this classic piece.

Mizuki Matsumoto’s advice to her younger self and aspiring dancers echoes the sentiments of joy and gratitude for the privilege of gracing the stage. She encourages them to hold onto these emotions, to remember the sheer delight of dancing, and to persistently embrace opportunities for growth.

ALEXANDRA SODOLEVA

Maxim alasheev.

• Swan Lake: Mazurka, HungarianDance
• Cinderella: Father, Mouse
• The Nutcracker: Butler, Russian Dance

Maxim Alasheev took his first steps into the world of dance at the age of 6. His journey led him to the Belarusian State Choreographic Gymnasium-College. After graduation Maxim was invited to the the renowned Bolshoi Theater of Belarus, where he seamlessly blended into both the corps de ballet and solo roles. From the charismatic “young men” in “The Fountain of Bakhchisarai” to the dynamic performances as one of the 4 friends in “Laurency” and the captivating solos in “Swan Lake,” Maxim’s versatility shines through.

Inspired by a vision of world peace, Maxim Alasheev aspires to contribute to harmony through his artistry. Much like his admired character, Tarzan, Maxim values strength, both in spirit and physical qualities. He sees Tarzan as a paragon of morality and fairness, portraying these qualities with restrained nobility and generosity. Also, the role of Basil in the ballet “Don Quixote” holds a special place in Maxim’s heart.

Guided by the mantra “never lose heart and move forward under any circumstances,” Maxim Alasheev exemplifies resilience and determination.

LUBOV GERONIK

Lubov Geronik, the younger sister of the renowned brother, began her enchanting dance journey at the age of 6. Her training unfolded at the Belarusian State Choreographic Gymnasium-College. The memories that linger most vividly include the dynamic variations of Kitri, Medora, the enchanting fairy Kroshka, and the Pas de sklyav from the ballet Corsair, which she showcased at the graduation final concert.

Lubov’s artistry graced the prestigious Bolshoi Theater of Belarus, where she assumed the role of a dedicated corps de ballet dancer. Her repertoire is nothing short of extraordinary, spanning iconic performances in “Giselle,” “Swan Lake,” “Corsair,” “Sleeping Beauty,” “Don Quixote,” and an extensive list that includes operas and ballets such as “Esmeralda,” “Nutcracker,” “Carmina Burana,” and many more.

Her favorite fairy-tale heroes, the Little Prince and Rose, resonate deeply, portraying profound life values, wise quotes, and the pure story of love and friendship.

For Lubov, each ballet role holds its unique charm, and there are no least favorites. However, the Garguiad movement finds itself at the bottom of her preferences. In the realm of ballet, her heart belongs to “The Little Prince,” where she embodies the character of Rose, and “Don Quixote,” where she dazzles as Kitri.

Lubov would impart invaluable advice if given the chance to speak to her younger self: “Have more self-confidence, disregard envious people, embrace the unfamiliar, conquer difficulties without fear, shun laziness, continuously work on yourself, and above all, never lose heart.”

Yuka, originally from Japan, started her ballet training at the age of 4 and graduated from Perm State Choreographic School years later. Subsequently, she embarked on a remarkable career at the St. Petersburg Theater, Tchaikovsky.

Yuka’s aspirations extend beyond the stage; she dreams of traveling worldwide, as she believes it helps enrich her understanding and appreciation of the world’s myriad cultural expressions.

“Romeo and Juliet” holds a special place in Yuka’s heart among the vast repertoire of ballets. This timeless classic ignited her passion for ballet and inspired her to pursue her dreams of becoming a professional ballerina. Every time she participates in this ballet, she feels transported into the world of Shakespeare’s tragic love story.

VALERIYA DYSHLEVAYA

• Swan Lake: Black Swans

ANDREI POSAKH

• Swan Lake: the Prince’s Tutor, the Jester’s Dance
• The Nutcracker: Butler, Waltz of the Flowers

NORIKO NAKABAYASHI

• Swan Lake: Little Swans, the Jester’s Dance

Meet the World Ballet Series: A Celebration of Global Ballet Talent

World Ballet Series is produced by Gorskaya-Hartwick Productions , a Los Angeles based largest touring ballet production company.

Bound together by their love for reimagining classical ballet traditions, our cast of 50 accomplished dancers from 10 different countries collaborates to perform in visually stunning and critically lauded modern renditions of ageless masterpieces.

The World Ballet Series delivers a family-oriented experience, accompanied by ageless scores, over 150 expertly hand-stitched costumes, artisan-designed sets, and the most gifted dancers presenting three celebrated ballets: Swan Lake, Nutcracker, and Cinderella.

Introducing the Stellar Cast of the Swan Lake Ballet

World Ballet Series proudly presents an exceptional, multinational ensemble of dancers handpicked from premier ballet institutions across Europe, Japan, the UK, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, and beyond.

Principal Dancer Andrea Lassakova, who graces the stage as Odile and Odette, is an accomplished and celebrated ballerina, former first soloist of the Mikhailovsky Theatre.

This remarkable performance also showcases the talents of a new generation of ballet virtuosos, including Angelina Zgurskaya’s and Maxim Vlas’ dazzling performance in Act 2,  Kyunsoon Park’s breathtaking pas-de-trois, and Constantine Geronik’s exquisite portrayal of the Head Jester.

Don’t miss this captivating ballet experience, which masterfully combines tradition and innovation, highlighting the incredible skill and artistry of a diverse and talented cast. Book your tickets now to witness this mesmerizing display of ballet excellence.

Meet the Star: Andrea Lassakova in the Swan Lake.

Andrea Lassakova, an accomplished ballet virtuoso, is the first soloist of the World Ballet Series. As a former star of the Mikhailovsky Theater, she has steadily garnered international acclaim and amassed numerous accolades.

Andrea Lassakova received her dance training exclusively with Klara Skodova at the Eva Jacz Dance Conservatory in Bratislava, the primary training facility for the Slovak National Ballet. She graduated from the Conservatory in 2011, and the same year joined the Slovak National Theatre as a demi-soloist, where she performed roles in ballets including  The Nutcracker ,  Sleeping Beauty ,  Le Corsaire ,  La Sylphide , the  Swan Lake ,  Giselle  and  The Little Prince .

In 2013-2014, Andrea moved to Finland and became a dancer of the Youth Company of the Finnish National Ballet. In 2014-2015, she joined the Finnish National Ballet’s Main Company. In 2015, Andrea moved to St. Petersburg, Russia, and joined the Mikhailovsky Ballet by invitation as soloist, and was promoted to the rank of First Soloist in 2021, dancing major principal repertoire including Odette/Odile in the  Swan Lake , Medora in  Le Corsaire , Gamzatti in  La Bayadere , Lilac Fairy in  Sleeping Beauty , Queen of the Dryads in  Don Quixote , Queen of Willis in  Giselle , Fairy of the Summer in  Cinderella  and Sylvia variation from  Coppélia  by Messerer.

Experience the unparalleled grace and artistry of Andrea Lassakova as she takes the stage in the World Ballet Series, enchanting audiences with her captivating performances and exceptional talent. Don’t miss your chance to witness this ballet star in action.

Stay Informed and Engaged: Understanding the Ballet Performance

Don’t worry if you’re not familiar with the entire Swan Lake story; we’ve got you covered. Upon arrival at the venue, you’ll find information stands in the lobby featuring QR codes that you can scan to access our digital program. This comprehensive guide includes a synopsis of the plot and a timeline to help you follow the on-stage events with ease. So, sit back, relax, and let us guide you through the enchanting world of Swan Lake’s ballet performance.

Attire Choices for Your Ballet Night Out

The decision is entirely in your hands! Attending a classical ballet performance can be an excellent opportunity to dress up and embrace your elegant side. Many of our patrons enjoy donning formal attire for the occasion. However, if you prefer something more casual and comfortable, that’s perfectly fine too! Rest assured, you won’t be the only one, and our priority is to ensure you have an enjoyable experience, regardless of your outfit choice.

The Magical Soundscape: Music in the World Ballet Series

Discover the enchanting soundscape that brings the captivating world of Swan Lake to life in the World Ballet Series. Our talented team of sound engineers and music curators carefully select and blend compositions from the most renowned composers to create a harmonious and evocative auditory experience for our audience. Please note that Swan Lake will be performed with a LIVE orchestra in selected cities.

As a vital component of each ballet performance, music has the power to transport and inspire, adding depth and emotion to every scene. Though our touring ballet company is not currently accompanied by a live orchestra, we ensure that the music is skillfully engineered and reproduced, maintaining the highest quality and authenticity for our patrons.

Join us on this magical journey as we celebrate the powerful union of music and dance, weaving together an unforgettable experience that speaks to the heart and captivates the senses.

Maximize Your Intermission: Activities and Treats

Our 20-minute intermission offers plenty of opportunities for entertainment and refreshments. You can visit the performing arts center’s concession stand for a variety of snacks and beverages. Don’t forget to check out our merchandise store, where you’ll find branded t-shirts, brochures, and a range of ballet- themed souvenirs. For a memorable keepsake, take advantage of the chance to have a professional photo taken with one of the characters. With so much to see and do, just be sure to return to your seat in time for the captivating Act 2!

Food and Beverage Policies at Our Performances

At the World Ballet Series, we strive to ensure an enjoyable experience for all our patrons. While we encourage you to savor the delicious snacks and beverages available at the venue’s concession stand, we kindly request that you consume them in the lobby area. To maintain the pristine condition of our auditorium and ensure the comfort of all audience members, only water is permitted inside the performance space. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Timely Arrival for a Seamless Experience

To ensure a smooth and enjoyable beginning to your World Ballet Series experience, we recommend arriving at the venue at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. This allows ample time for you to navigate any potential lines, find your seats, and settle in comfortably before the captivating ballet performance begins. By arriving early, you can fully immerse yourself in the magical world of our timeless productions without any distractions.

Late Arrivals and Seating Protocol

At the World Ballet Series, we understand that unforeseen circumstances can sometimes lead to late arrivals. Should you arrive after the performance has begun, our dedicated staff will assist in seating you during an appropriate break in the show. This ensures minimal disruption for both the audience and the performers, allowing you to join in the enchanting ballet experience as seamlessly as possible. We kindly remind you to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the showtime to fully enjoy the captivating world of our unforgettable productions.

Enter your name, city and email address to stay up to date with World Ballet Series news, special offers and on-sale dates in your city.

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No Cancellation Charges  up to 24 hours before the chosen travel date. 100% cancellation fee applied within 24 hours of travel date.

For groups of 12 or more, you may send us an inquiry at [email protected]. Although we do not guarantee bulk deals for all our tours, there are some tours for which we can offer discounted pricing. Ordinary hop-on-hop-off bus tickets are entitled to group savings. Attractions, pass items and combo tickets aren't.

Due the nature of this type of tour and varying demand, group travellers should be aware that there is no guarantee that the group will be able to travel altogether as the available seats vary from stop to stop and depends on demand each day. The group may need to split up and/or wait for the next bus(s).

As, we cannot guarantee that the group shall be able to travel together as one group, therefore we will reduce the group size down to 4-5 smaller groups per ticket (depending upon group size).

City Sightseeing: Moscow Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus Tour

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• The Bus Tour offers unlimited 360° panoramic views of main sights of Moscow.
• Access to audio-guide in 10 different languages which enables to know about Moscow’s history and traditions.
• The three-bus tour routes and 40+ stops around Moscow completes the trip. Draw an itinerary to explore the city on your own.
• There can be a boat tour and bus tour to enjoy panoramic views of Moskva River.
• Smartphone Voucher Accepted. (No need to print)

The City Sightseeing at Moscow begins at Bolotnaya Square with Hop-on-Hop-off bus service. The bus operates on the Red, Green and Orange lines. If you have limited time in Moscow, start your trip on the Redline and get yourself acquainted with the city’s 16 best attractions. The green line, however, covers 26 amazing spots so if you are staying for an extended period catch the green line.

• Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts
• Alexander Garden
• GUM State Department Store
• Sofiyskaya Embankment
• Cathedral of Christ the Saviour
• University Square, Vorobyovy Gory Observation Deck
• Hotel Ukraina Pier
• Zaryadye Park
• Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics
• VDNKh Metro Station
• Cosmonauts Alley
• Ostankino Television Tower
• Red Route: Schedule: 10:00 - 18:00 , Loop: 60 Minutes , Frequency: 15 Minutes
• Green Route : Schedule: 10:00 - 18:00 , Loop: 120 Minutes , Frequency: 30 Minutes
• Orange Route : Schedule: 10:00 - 18:30 , Loop: 140 Minutes , Frequency: 30 Minutes
• 24 / 48-Hours Hop-on Hop-off Bus Ticket
• Red Line Audio Guide: Russian, English, German, Spanish, Italian, French, Chinese, Arabic, Portuguese, Farsi
• Green Line Audio Guide: Russian, English, German, Spanish, Italian, French, Chinese, Arabic
• Orange Line Audio Guide : Russian English, German, Spanish, Italian, French
• Guided walking tour
• Boat Tour (If option selected)
• Hotel Transfers
• Entrance Fees (Unless Specified)

Redemption Info

You can board the bus at any stop and voucher can be exchanged directly with the driver. Printed vouchers required for this tour and are accepted at all stops. You will receive a ticket in exchange for your voucher, which you must keep until the expiry date/ tour. Please check your ticket to know when it expires. After exchanging your voucher for a ticket, your voucher will no longer be valid. In loss of voucher/ticket, company is not liable for any refund. Book Now! You can use your ticket any day within 12 months.

Know Before You Go

Wheelchair Access, Heating Please note that face masks must be worn on board the bus. Orange Route is temporarily suspended   

Operational Details: Walking Tour

• Daily at 10:45 a.m.
• Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Meeting point: next to the monument to Saints Cyril and Methodius (Kitay-Gorod metro station)

Capital River Boat Tour

• May - October: from 11:30am to 6:30pm (Subject to change)
• Duration: 60 minutes
• Departure Point: Zaryadye Park Pier

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