Tonner Doll Company, Inc. Introduces a New Series of Collectible Dolls based on New York City Ballet's Production of George Balanchine's The Nutcracker™

Hurley, NY (PRWEB) September 26, 2006

Just in time for the 2006 holiday season, Tonner Doll Company, Inc., internationally-recognized for its life-like and truly authentic, high-end collector dolls, is primed to enchant the young and the young-at-heart with the release of its New York City Ballet Collection. Featuring exquisite ballerina dolls of exceptional design and articulated movement, Tonner's first collaboration with the New York City Ballet offers dolls and outfits inspired by the Karinska costume designs for New York City Ballet's production of George Balanchine's The Nutcracker™.

“I have long been a fan of the New York City Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker,” notes Robert Tonner, CEO and head designer of the award-winning Tonner Doll Company, Inc. “The combination of dance artistry and sublime costumes provided wonderful inspiration for this new series of collector dolls.”

Since the ballet’s premiere in 1954, the New York City Ballet has performed its beloved production of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™ more than 2,000 times. This year, New York City Ballet will perform the ballet from November 24 through December 30 at the New York State Theater at Lincoln Center. The centerpiece of the season is the annual The Nutcracker Family Benefit, which supports both New York City Ballet and its official school, the School of American Ballet. This year Tonner Doll Company, Inc. is the corporate sponsor for the benefit, which will take place on Saturday, December 9 at 2 p.m.

The New York City Ballet dolls are app. 16" tall with multiple articulated joints, including a sculpted, 'en pointe' foot. “The New York City Ballet was particularly involved in the design of the sculpted feet and the ballet slippers,” advises Tonner. “They wanted the representation to be as fully accurate as possible.” Dolls in the collection are made to represent adult ballerinas, as well as characters from George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™, including the ballet’s heroine, the young girl Marie – Marie is app. 12” tall. All dolls are crafted in high quality vinyl and hard plastic with rooted saran hair and hand-painted face detail. Each doll is a miniature work of art.

The New York City Ballet Collection will be sold at doll and toy specialty retailers nationwide, including Fao Schwarz, beginning November, 2006. The initial line will feature popular characters such as The Sugar Plum Fairy and Marie, the suggested retail price range is $109.99 to $149.99. The Sugar Plum Fairy and Marie dolls will also be available at the New York City Ballet Gift Shop during performances. Additional outfits and accessories will follow, including additional costumes inspired the Karinska costume designs for George Balanchine's The Nutcracker™.

Headquartered in Hurley, New York, the Tonner Doll Company, Inc. develops and markets high quality collectible dolls like Betsy McCall®, Mary Engelbreit®, Effanbee® Dolls, and the popular Tyler Wentworth® line of dolls and fashions, as well as other licensed Tonner Character Figures™, including Harry Potter™, and DC Comics Super Heroes, Supergirl™ and Wonder Woman™.

New York City Ballet was founded in 1948 by two of the most influential figures of the 20th century, George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstien, and is one of the world’s great ballet companies. Today, under the direction of Ballet Master in Chief Peter Martins, the New York City Ballet continues to shape the future of classical dance with an unparalleled commitment to new choreography, and is one of New York City’s most enduring cultural treasures. For more information on the New York City Ballet visit http://www.nycballet.com.

For more information on Tonner Doll Company, Inc., product samples, or interviews, please contact: Tom Courtney, Publicity Coordinator

845-339-9537 (ph)

The New York City Ballet’s 2006 Season of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™ is presented by Wachovia.

George Balanchine's The Nutcracker™ is a trademark of The George Balanchine Trust, owner of the choreography for the New York City Ballet production. Designs in this collection are based upon and inspired by the original costumes of the NYCB production, designed by Karinska. These designs are protected by copyright and other law and all rights are reserved by the New York City Ballet.

New York City Ballet is a registered trademark of New York City Ballet, Inc.

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