The Russian Grand Ballet on display. Photo courtesy Russian Grand BalletThe Strand has hosted countless American-cast performances of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker,” but next weekend, the Uphams Corner showplace will welcome a spectacular all-Russian production of the beloved composer’s first ballet, the deliriously romantic “Swan Lake.”

For one night only, Sat., Sept. 19 at 7:30 p.m., the Russian Grand Ballet will make its Boston debut in “Swan Lake” at the theatre as part of a whirlwind 22-city American tour. Connoisseurs will appreciate the exquisite choreography based on the original by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov, the large company in sumptuous costumes, and the storybook scenery.

According to legend, a hauntingly beautiful maiden and her companions are condemned by a sorcerer to spend the daytime as swans. Can the Prince free Odette (the white swan) whom he first meets in her nighttime human form, or will he be deceived by her evil double, Odile, the black swan?

The Russian Grand Ballet was founded by graduates of the most prestigious Russian dance academies of Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Kiev. With over 50 brilliant dancers, the troupe has established a reputation for talent and versatility in its touring of the world with both full-length traditional ballets and shorter ‘divertissements.’ Before this first US tour, they have done “Swan Lake” in such countries as China, Mexico, Germany and Spain.

Artistic director Constantine Pinchuk is dedicated to the timeless tradition of classical Russian Ballet. “There’s a good reason,” he says, “why ‘Swan Lake’ is so often called the ‘ballet of all ballets’ – the combination of pure romanticism, the story about love and deception, and Tchaikovsky’s famous ballet music all continue to reach new generations of audiences. Boston’s strong art scene makes it the perfect location for the Russian Grand Ballet’s ‘Swan Lake’ performance.”’
Ballet: The Russian Grand Ballet will make its Boston debut in ‘Swan Lake’ at the Strand Theatre on Sat., Sept. 19. Photo courtesy Russian Grand Ballet
Award-winning prima ballerina Olga Kifyak will be dancing Odile/Odette, with Eugeniy Svetlitsa as Prince Siegfried and Ivan Kozlov as Prince’s Friend. Alisa Voronova, Sergey Kononenko and Anna Surmina will be performing the famous Pas de Trois.

Without compromising the plot, the four acts of the original “Swan Lake” will be compressed into three for this rendition. Running time is approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, with two intermissions.

After the show, the hard-working cast will board a bus for Woonsocket, RI, where they will perform at the Stadium Theatre the following evening. The Strand show will be its second US stop after a premiere in Burlington, VT.

Tickets range from $18 to $48, plus fees and taxes, available through StrandBoston.com, or at the OvationTix.com at 866-811-4111.