Canada’s world-renowned Royal Winnipeg Ballet (RWB) will immerse audience members in an enchanting visual and musical feast with its holiday masterpiece, Nutcracker. An impressive group of 64 young dancers from the Ottawa-Gatineau region will don their ballet shoes and join the troupe as they perform in the NAC's splendid Southam Hall from December 2 to 6.                                     

These aspiring 7 to 13 year-old dancers, who were chosen from the hundreds who competed for the honour, are sure to enthrall the young and young-at-heart in the audience. Their roles will include long-time favourites like the mice, angels and party guests, alongside some of the best ballet dancers in Canada.            

“Many star dancers get their first major roles in Nutcracker, and hundreds of children from ballet schools have their initial experience onstage with this production”, says Cathy Levy, Executive Producer of NAC Dance.

The two-act Nutcracker ballet was based on E.T.A. Hoffmann’s early 19^th century German story, which has undergone endless adaptations around the world. The RWB version is unique because of its distinctly Canadian touches.       

“Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s Nutcracker retains the flavour of the original’s German and Russian heritage but is set on our continent at the turn of the 20th century. By this, we aim to honour some of North America’s unique cultural and festive traditions”, tells us André Lewis, Artistic Director of Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet.                                      

Uniquely Canadian symbols like polar bears, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and hockey players were added by the RWB as a tribute to Canada’s rich and unique culture. Although they were introduced last year in Winnipeg, the 12 baby polar bears and their mother Hazel will appear for the first time this year on the NAC stage. All performances feature the National Arts Centre Orchestra under the baton of Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet Conductor Tadeusz Biernacki. The RWB’s interpretation of the Nutcracker is a tasty confection of ingredients that will definitely recreate the magic of Christmas Eve!                                          

ABOUT CANADA’S ROYAL WINNIPEG BALLET

Versatility, technical excellence, and a captivating style are the trademarks of Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet, qualities that have garnered both critical and audience acclaim. These qualities keep the company in demand as it presents more than 100 performances every season. Celebrating over 75 years of dance, The Royal Winnipeg Ballet holds the double distinction of being one of Canada’s premier ballet companies and the longest continuously operating ballet company in North America. The Royal Winnipeg Ballet was founded in 1939 by Gweneth Lloyd and Betty Farrally, and began to tour Canada in 1945. The company received its royal title, the first granted under the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, in 1953, and completed its first American tour in 1954. Today, the company spends 20 or more weeks a year on the road, performing in centres large and small.

ABOUT NUTCRACKER

When midnight strikes, young Clara’s enchanted Christmas gift leads her into a wondrous world… with the valiant Nutcracker at her side, Clara defeats the Mouse King and his army of mice, and journeys to the Land of Snow and the Kingdom of Sweets. There, the Sugar Plum Fairy bids everyone to dance in their honour. Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s acclaimed production of Nutcracker is a sheer delight, and features endearing Canadian scenes such as a snowy pond hockey game and a battle on Parliament Hill. This year’s production will be even more heart-warming with the addition of twelve white furry friends! Danced to Tchaikovsky’s timeless score, we will take you to a wondrous adventure this holiday season.

CHOREOGRAPHY: Galina Yordanova and Nina Menon, RWB
MUSIC: Piotr Ilitch Tchaikovsky
COSTUME DESIGN: Paul Daigle
SCENIC DESIGN: Brian Perchaluk
LIGHTING DESIGN: Michael J. Whitfield

DURATION: 2 hours 5 minutes, with one intermission

PERFORMANCES  ­

WED - DEC 2 - 7:00 PM
THU - DEC 3 - 7:00 PM
FRI - DEC 4 - 7:00 PM
SAT - DEC 5 - 1:30 PM & 7:00 PM
SUN - DEC 6 - 1:30 PM

SUGAR PLUM PARTIES

One hour prior to each performance, the NAC Foyer will be alive with excitement – join us for crafts, dress-up, activities for the kids and more.

ACTIVITIES FOR DANCE STUDENTS

Ballet Masterclass with Caroline Gruber
Sunday, December 6, 9:00 a.m.
For intermediate/advanced-level ballet students and dancers (aged 14 and up).
Register online at: http://nac-cna.ca/en/event/12857

SPONSORS

The Nutcracker is generously sponsored by Sun Life Financial and is part of the Share the Spirit program. We also wish to thank our media partner, The Ottawa Citizen.

ABOUT SHARE THE SPIRIT

The National Arts Centre (NAC), with the help of Presenting Sponsor Sun Life Financial and generous partners and donors, is bringing the magic of live performing arts this holiday season and throughout the year to hundreds of deserving children and their families in the Ottawa-Gatineau region.

This is the seventh year for Share the Spirit, an initiative aimed at families who, for economic or health reasons, may not have the opportunity to enjoy live performances at the NAC. Share the Spirit will enable them to attend performances of holiday classics such as Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s Nutcracker, Handel's Messiah, Kinderconcert: Giggle And Stomp, Emilie-Claire Barlow and David Myles: Christmas with the NAC Orchestra, Anne & Gilbert: The Musical, Le cœur en hiver and other wonderful productions throughout the NAC’s entire performance season – for free.

Share the Spirit is made possible through the support of Presenting Sponsor Sun Life Financial, Major Partner Trinity Development Group, Supporting Partners: the Honourable John Manley, P.C. O.C. & Mrs. Judith Manley, as well as other donors who have contributed to Share the Spirit through the NAC Foundation Donors’ Circle.

It is with great excitement that the NAC announces the Share the Spirit Honorary Chair for the 2015-2016 season, the Ottawa REDBLACKS mascot Big Joe On December 2, Big Joe will be at the NAC to take part in the festivities and share his joy with the little ones. Big Joe will be interacting with guests in the NAC lobby during the Nutcracker ‘s Sugar Plum Party’s activities and will also be making an appearance on the Southam Hall stage during the welcome speeches. 

TO DONATE: nac-cna.ca/en/foundation/sharethespirit

TICKETS AND PERFORMANCES

Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet performs in the Southam Hall of the National Arts Centre December 2 to 6. Tickets range from $50 to $95 for adults and $25 to $49.50 for students (upon presentation of a valid student ID card).

More information: http://nac-cna.ca/en/event/11780

Groups of 10 or more save 15% to 20% off regular ticket prices; to reserve your seats, call 613 947-7000 x634 or e-mail grp@nac-cna.ca.

Tickets are available for purchase:

• In person at the NAC Box Office;
• At all Ticketmaster outlets;
• By telephone from Ticketmaster, 1-888-991-2787 (ARTS); and
• Online through the Ticketmaster link on the NAC’s website (www.nac-cna.ca).

A service charge applies on all purchases made through Ticketmaster.