Grand Kyiv Ballet company brings two performances to Bend’s Tower Theatre this winter: the classic “Nutcracker” and ”Snow Queen, a new ballet on its world premiere tour.

“Snow Queen” is based on Hans Christian Andersen’s famous fairy tale of the same name. It follows a wicked troll who creates a magic mirror that distorts the appearance of everything in its reflection. When the mirror shatters, a shard finds its way to Kai. His worldview is darkened, and the Snow Queen steals him away to her icy palace. Kai’s friend Gerda subsequently embarks on a journey to save Kai, facing trolls, robbers and a cunning raven. She hopes her hot tears will warm Kai’s heart, thus returning him to his true self.

Similarities in the storyline may be drawn to the Disney animated film, “Frozen,” said Alex Stoyanov, artistic director at the Ukrainian ballet company. At its core, the show is about love, friendship and evil.

“All stories are about love,” Stoyanov said. “All stories, all ballets, all songs — everything involves love.”

“Snow Queen” was created with American audiences in mind, he said, and costumes and elements of the stage presentation were designed in Ukraine.

“People really love this ballet,” Stoyanov said, of the new show. “It’s a really beautiful production. I think this production will be like ‘The Nutcracker’ of the future.”

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Finding refuge

Following the onset of the Russia-Ukraine war, the company’s ballet dancers have found refuge in Bellevue, Washington.

“It’s a very difficult situation for ballet students because they need to have time for normal rehearsals, for normal ballet classes. They need to do it every day. At this time during the day in Kyiv, there are three, four, five times, there are alarms and they need to go to the basement,” Stoyanov said.

As Ukrainian resources have been funneled to support the military effort, the main ballet college of Ukraine, Kyiv State Ballet College, has suffered. The college’s mission is to offer a space for children to learn ballet while ensuring the future of the art in Ukraine.

A portion of proceeds from ticket sales will be directed toward renovation efforts and repairing the children’s dormitory at the college.

The ballet company has over 25 productions. It brings “The Nutcracker,” with music by Pyotr Tchaikovsky and choreography by Valeriy Kovtun, to the Tower Theatre on Jan. 9.

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If You Go

What: “Snow Queen” by Grand Kyiv Ballet

When: 7 p.m. Wednesday

Where: Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St., Bend

Cost: $52.50-$91.50 (plus $6 historic preservation fee)

Contact: towertheatre.org