For the first time ever, Aruba will experience the holiday classic ballet, The Nutcracker. A group of twenty American dancers will bring this stunning production to life on January 5th and 6th at the Cas di Cultura.

At the head of this production is Leonid Kozlov, founder and director of the US based performing group, Kozlov Dance International. An international ballet star, Mr. Kozlov was a principal dancer with both the Bolshoi Ballet and the New York City Ballet. He also starred on Broadway and has directed many touring groups, bringing dance stars to international audiences.

Leonid Kozlov’s “The Nutcracker” was first staged for the Australian Ballet at the Sydney Opera House in 1981. Since 1993 he has been delighting audiences in the metropolitan New York area with his dazzling choreography set to Tchaikovsky’s unforgettable score, lavish costumes and scenery direct from the Bolshoi Theatre Workshop in Russia, and most notably the poise and professionalism of his talented dancers.

The cast includes Leonid Kozlov, as Herr Drosslemeyer, his wife and accomplished dancer, Adriana Kozlov, as the Sugar Plum Fairy, and the young and talented Kiril Kulish as the Nutcracker Prince. Kiril has won the most prestigious ballet competition, Youth America Grand Prix, and is currently the US National Latin Junior Ballroom dance champion. Completing the cast are twenty dancers who train and perform with Kozlov Dance International in the US.

Joining the American cast will be a group of local students from the Skol di Baile Diana Antonette. They will dance the children’s roles in the production. It was through Mr. Kozlov’s love of the island and people that this collaborative effort evolved.

Performances are being held at the Cas di Cultura on Saturday, January 5th at 14:00 & 20:00 and Sunday, January 6th at 14:00. Tickets are Afls 26 and may be purchased at the Cas di Cultura 582-1010 or Van Dorp bookstore 582-3076 (Caya Milo Croes).

For more information on Kozlov Dance International, visit www.kozlovdance.com