On tour with the visiting Russian Circus during the Cold War, a carefree American pianist endures a comic clash of cultures when he romances a beautiful Russian high-wire artiste, but the frivolity ends when the vindictive KGB tour director contrives to keep the lovers apart. Romeo and Juliet vs. Communism.

SYNOPSIS:

Sparks fly when DON CORRIGAN (35), a carefree American pianist, romances proud yet strangely vulnerable MARIYA SVETLOVA (28), a beautiful high-wire artiste with the visiting Russian Circus. All goes well until the arrival of his gorgeous ex-fiancée, intent on a rapprochement! Panic-stricken, Don juggles dates until Proud East sees him with Gorgeous West in the hotel coffee shop. Mariya blows a gasket faster than an overheated Lada, forcing Don to take the only logical step ha can to explain everything: he kidnaps her!

But the frivolity ends when VICTOR KROTOV (40), the vindictive KGB tour director catches Mariya returning alone late at night from Don’s room (she claims to have been visiting American tourists), he expels her from the tour! Coincidentally, a Russian interpreter defects. The Soviet Embassy protests, cancels the tour, and sends an embarrassed Krotov and his troupe home.

Krotov, seething over what he mistakenly considers Mariya’s influence in the defection incident, dispatches her to work in a minor circus far from Moscow. The stress of exile, haunting memories of the deaths of her husband and child in an accident, and now the loss of Don, push her over the brink: during rehearsal, she faints and slips from the high-wire.

Back in Los Angeles, Don realizes how much he loves and needs Mariya. He decides to go to Russia and “bring her home.”

When Krotov learns that Don has come to Moscow to see Mariya, he realizes the truth behind her late-night visit in America. Ever vindictive, he suppresses news of her accident -- officially, she’s on vacation. Don searches for her, but her parents can’t help, and the American Embassy can’t interfere. So, he decides to gamble on a new acquaintance, a Soviet Special Investigator with his own romantic backstory and a hidden agenda. Their not entirely chance meeting has blossomed into friendship.

With the Soviet Union as silent partner, Don crashes into Krotov’s office and settles a long-standing score. He races to the hospital where Mariya lies comatose, unable to face a life scarred by so much tragedy.

Will he reach her on time? (Of course he will; otherwise we’d all leave the theater crying!)