This unlikely saga begins in an unlikely place–Oklahoma, where Ed Martin of Russian Legends Productions, a promotion company, decided to sponsor a Bolshoi tour. His first thought was to kick off the tour at home in Oklahoma City, but then he realized that Las Vegas, the nation’s entertainment hot spot, made more sense. Most of the financing came from Brad Haines, an Oklahoma City businessman, who invested $600,000 in hopes of a $12 million return. It looked like a sure thing, until he was forced to make an emergency loan of $450,000 just so the company could raise the curtain in Las Vegas. Now he’s put in an additional $350,000 to keep the show on the road through its Los Angeles engagement. He says the prestige of both countries is on the line. ““This will allow the Bolshoi to continue and not damage their name or their integrity,’’ he says. ““I’m taking the long-term approach.’’ In return for his good will and deep pockets, Haines is hoping to win oil and gas contracts with the Russian government.
