Part of the crew working to get Cincinnati Ballet's new Nutcracker ready for its Dec. 14 premiere was in St. Petersburg, Russia, on Sept. 11. They were wrapping up plans with Vozrozhdenie Ltd., the company building the sets, costumes and props for the production.

        Unable to get home because of the ban on flights, they watched the terror unfold among strangers.

        “Americans stand out here like Technicolor in a sepia world,” John Zurick said via e-mail. (The former Cincinnati Ballet executive director is producing consultant on the project.)

        People on the streets came up to express their sorrow. Unexpected kindnesses were offered.

        The hotel, which is constantly full, extended their stay indefinitely. The Russians working on the Nutcracker invited them to their homes for home-cooked meals, Mr. Zurick said.

        All are home now, but Mr. Zurick and set and costume designer Alain Vaes of New York will return to St. Petersburg on Monday to oversee shipping of costumes, sets and props.

        Russian performing arts — dance, theater and opera — are known for fantastic stage designs. Mr. Zurick couldn't help boasting a bit.

        “The production will be magnificent, with some effects we didn't think were possible,” he said. Vozrozhdenie has the experience of building for the major players — the Kirov, Bolshoi, Massursky and Stanislavsky are just a few — for more than 100 years.

        They're holding their collective breaths until everything arrives safely on Nov. 15.

Maria replaces Clara in new 'Nutcracker'
Ballet fans will miss Russians

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