News: Moscow Circus heads Dollywood festival

Posted at 5:52 PM EDT (2152 GMT)

Oct. 8th, 2004 -- The circus is coming to town, specifically Dollywood, as the Moscow Circus headlines the theme park's 2005 Festival of Nations (March 26-May 8) with daily performances in DP's Celebrity Theatre.

The Moscow Circus entertains with dramatic, centuries-old Russian tales and fables brought to life by a cast of 25 Russian and Ukrainian artists. Under the direction of producer Sasha Vosk, aerialists, singers, gymnasts, folk musicians, contortionists and clowns share the stage. Accented by ornate costumes and backdrops, the Moscow Circus is filled with drama, culture and history, all a part of the rich circus traditions of Russia, including handcrafted puppets of 19th-century origin and a folk trio consisting of a balalaika (a traditional three-stringed Russian instrument), accordion and wooden spoons.

"With contortionists and gymnasts, clowns and dog trainers, even folk music, the Moscow Circus truly has something for ever member of the family," Dolly Parton said. "I'm proud to welcome a show with such a rich history to our Festival of Nations."

The Moscow Circus recently celebrated its 120th anniversary and is regarded by many as the standard by which all other circuses are judged. In Russia, the circus is regarded as an art form on par with the ballet or opera. The Moscow Circus has endured, serving as a showcase for highly skilled and creative artists.

Moscow Circus Producer Vosk is a 15-year circus performance veteran. He emigrated to the U.S. and in 1990 created and produced the Emmy Award-winning HBO feature film Billy Crystal - Midnight Train to Moscow. Vosk recently produced one of the largest ethnic Russian festivals in New York City with more than 300,000 people in attendance.

Dollywood's Festival of Nations is an international, multi-cultural celebration of music, dance, art and food from a host of countries. Featuring hundreds of international performers, the six-week event showcases special performances by groups from China, Equador, Trinidad, Scotland, the Czech Republic and Germany.

For more information, call 1-800-DOLLYWOOD or visit www.dollywood.com.

Media: Contact Dollywood Public Relations Manager Pete Owens at 865-428-9486 or powens@dollywood.com for B-roll, photography and more information. Check the Dollywood Press Room at www.Dollywood.com/PR/Press.asp for updates and new images..