Contact:
Susan Elsbree, BRA, (617) 212-6817
Ann Sheehan, Broadway in Boston, (617) 451-2345
Tiffany Kehayoglou, Boston Ballet, (617) 456-6240

“This is a great day for the arts in our city. Boston Ballet’s The Nutcracker has been a part of the city’s holiday season for decades. It is a wonderful tradition — and one I vowed to help save for those who cherish it, and for generations to come,” said Mayor Thomas M. Menino. “I want to thank Clear Channel Entertainment for reaching out and working with Boston Ballet. Together, Wilder, Nissinen, McLean, and I are all pleased to be able to preserve this holiday favorite and keep The Nutcracker on the Boston stage.”

“We greatly appreciate the Mayor, Clear Channel Entertainment, and Tony McLean for supporting us and we are thrilled about The Nutcracker’s future homes — the intimate, beautiful Colonial Theatre, and the exquisite, newly renovated Opera House!” said Boston Ballet Executive Director Valerie Wilder. “Boston Ballet’s The Nutcracker is not only a great show, it is a community effort involving hundreds of children on stage, thousands of youngsters and their parents in the audience, over 50 talented dancers, a live orchestra of exceptional musicians, and countless people behind the scenes. Our production is recognized around the world for its artistry, magnitude, and community participation. We are delighted to continue this annual tradition at the Colonial Theatre and the Opera House.”

“I look forward to creating a magical Nutcracker for the historic Colonial Theatre next year,” said Boston Ballet Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen. “The new special edition production will be true to the values that have made the ballet a family tradition. The following year we will bring back the beloved favorite, set in the grandeur of the stunning Opera House. As always, children from Boston Ballet School will continue to be an integral part of the production.”

“We are thrilled to be associated with Boston Ballet, one of Boston’s great arts organizations,” said President of Broadway in Boston/Clear Channel Entertainment Tony McLean. “From the beginning, Clear Channel Entertainment’s intention for the Opera House was to house not only Broadway productions but also welcome additional performing arts organizations. We are delighted that Boston Ballet will be among the first to experience this glorious venue and we look forward to helping this tradition live on.”

Now celebrating its 40th Anniversary Season, Boston Ballet is the third-largest cultural institution in Boston, the second largest musical organization in the City, and one of the leading dance companies in North America. It has more than 50 full-time dancers and maintains an internationally acclaimed repertoire of classical and contemporary works, ranging from full-length story ballets to new works by contemporary choreographers. Boston Ballet’s apprentice company, Boston Ballet II, is a group of young professional dancers that perform with Boston Ballet as well as separately, present lecture demonstrations and unique programs to audiences throughout the Northeast. With an enrollment of over 2,000 students, Boston Ballet's Center for Dance Education is the largest dance school in North America and provides the highest quality dance education experience for dancers of all ages and abilities. In addition to traditional dance training, the Center for Dance Education (CDE) offers innovative outreach and education programs that transform the lives of thousands of youth in Greater Boston and beyond each year. Community partnerships include collaboration with the Boston Public Schools in Citydance, Roxbury Community College in Taking Steps, Young Audiences of Massachusetts in Classical Moves, and Children's Hospital in Adaptive Dance for Down syndrome youth.

Broadway in Boston/Clear Channel Entertainment operates Boston’s Colonial Theatre, established in 1900; The Wilbur Theatre, celebrating its 80th season; The Charles Playhouse, now enjoying its 42nd season; and the newly-restored Opera House where Disney’s The Lion King will open in July, 2004. Broadway in Boston/Clear Channel Entertainment also presents shows at other major Boston venues. Drawing over 850,000 patrons to its venues every year, Broadway in Boston presents a dynamic and varied season of musicals and plays and has been responsible for bringing over 280 theatrical productions to Boston including such landmark events as The Producers, Mamma Mia!, Disney’s The Lion King, Ragtime, Les Miserables, Angels in America, A Chorus Line, Blue Man Group, Chicago, and Cabaret. Clear Channel Entertainment, a leading producer and marketer of live entertainment events is a subsidiary of Clear Channel Worldwide (NYSE: CCU), a global leader in the away-from-home advertising industry. Clear Channel Entertainment currently owns, operates and/or exclusively books approximately 130 live entertainment venues, including more than 100 in North America and 30 in Europe. In 2002, more than 65 million people attended approximately 29,000 events promoted and/or produced by the company, including live music events; Broadway, West End and touring theatrical shows; family entertainment shows; and specialized sports and motor sports events. The company, which operates throughout North America, Europe, South America and Australia, also owns independently operated athlete representation businesses, which provide management, marketing and financial consulting services to many of the world’s top professional athletes. More information may be found by visiting www.cc.com and www.clearchannel.com.