Dance lovers of all ages will be transported to a Russian winter wonderland when Alberta Ballet performs its dazzling production of The Nutcracker December 5 to 9 at the National Arts Centre. This classic ballet is a timeless fantasy of enchantment -- and it's the perfect holiday treat for the whole family! There are Saturday and Sunday matinees at 1:30 p.m., and evening performances begin at the family-friendly curtain time of 7 p.m. All performances feature the National Arts Centre Orchestra under the baton of Alberta Ballet Music Director Peter Dala.

The Nutcracker is sponsored by Tim Hortons and is part of the Share the Spirit program. We also wish to thank media partner The Ottawa Citizen.

Along with the talented artists of Alberta Ballet, dozens of young dancers from Ottawa-Gatineau are featured in this production. Chosen from almost two hundred young people who auditioned earlier this autumn, these talented performers from across the region and rehearsed by The School of Dance appear as party children, mice, rats, soldiers and palace pages.

Sparkling snowflakes glisten against the lapis lazuli dome of the Russian sky as the timeless score by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky casts its magical spell. An instant success following its premiere in 2010, this spellbinding production is one of the most lavish ever mounted by Alberta Ballet. Choreographed by Edmund Stripe, the adventures of Klara, the Nutcracker Prince, the Snow Tsarina, and the Sugar Plum Fairy delight in intricately choreographed scenes. Glittering sets and one-of-a-kind, handmade costumes created by Zack Brown (a veteran designer who has created Nutcrackers for several other companies and has won two Emmy Awards for his work with San Francisco Opera) give the ballet the look of a gorgeously illustrated children’s book.

 

THE NUTCRACKER
MUSIC: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
CHOREOGRAPHY: Edmund Stripe
SET AND COSTUME DESIGN: Zack Brown
LIGHTING DESIGN: Pierre Lavoie
WORLD PREMIERE: 2008

DURATION: 2 hours, with one intermission

PRE-PERFORMANCE SUGAR PLUM PARTIES

Sponsored by Tim Hortons

Prior to each performance, the NAC Foyer will be alive with excitement!
Activities include a dress-up corner, colouring station, and treats for the kids.

Sugar Plum Parties begin at 6 p.m. before evening performances and at 12:30 p.m. before matinee performances. Free with your ticket to The Nutcracker!

School Matinee/Dress Rehearsal December 5, 2012 1:00pm. For more information click here

 

ABOUT THE NUTCRACKER

The Nutcracker is a two-act ballet that was first performed in 1892 at the Marinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia. The libretto/story line is adapted from E.T.A. Hoffmann's story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. The original production was not a success, but the 20-minute suite that Tchaikovsky extracted from the ballet became one of his most popular compositions. The full ballet The Nutcracker has been performed by countless ballet companies since the mid 20th century and has gained massive popularity particularly in North America.

ABOUT ALBERTA BALLET

Alberta Ballet, led by Artistic Director Jean Grand-Maître, is Canada's third largest dance company. Founded in 1966, Alberta Ballet has developed a distinctive repertoire and performance quality that has brought it to the forefront of both its home and international stages. The company comprises 31 classically trained professional dancers. The seed of Alberta Ballet was planted in the early 1950s by the late Dr. Ruth Carse in Edmonton. In 1966, it officially took the name Alberta Ballet Company and in 1990 completed a successful merger with Calgary City Ballet. The new organization operates and performs in both Calgary and Edmonton. Since 1975, Dr. Carse has been succeeded by Leslie-Spinks, Brydon Paige, Ali Pourfarrokh, and Mikko Nissinen. Since his appointment in 2002, Jean Grand-Maître has elevated the profile of Alberta Ballet across Canada and around the world. Alberta Ballet reaches thousands of Albertans each season from September to May as well as performing across Canada and around the world. The company invites leading conductors, choreographers, and other guest artists to take part in its seasons, as well as presenting the best of Canada's ballet companies.

"Set in imperial Russia, Edmund Stripe’s new take on the classic delivers several unique and refreshing scenes... one of the most beautiful, sparkling winter wonderlands ever created on stage."
Edmonton Journal, 2008

"There's a magic and whimsy to it that bewitches the children in all of us."
The Georgia Straight

"... this $1.5-million, sugar-plum perfect staging is every tiny ballerina's dream come true."
Natasha Gauthier, Ottawa Citizen, December 3, 2010

"Alberta Ballet's Nutcracker has the glitter and delicacy of a Fabergé egg.”
Kevin Griffin, Vancouver Sun, December 31, 2010

 

• Alberta Ballet performs The Nutcracker in Southam Hall of the National Arts Centre on Wednesday December 5, Thursday December 6, Friday December 7 and Saturday December 8, 2012 at 7 p.m. and on Saturday December 8 and Sunday December 9 at 1:30 p.m. Tickets are $52, $65, $77 and $87 for adults and $27.50, $34, $40, and $45 for students (upon presentation of a valid student ID card).
• Tickets are available at the NAC Box Office (in person); tickets are also available (with service charges) at all Ticketmaster outlets, by telephone from Ticketmaster at 1-888-991-2787 (ARTS), and online through the Ticketmaster link on the NAC's website at www.nac-cna.ca
• Subject to availability, full-time students (aged 13-29) with valid Trinity Live Rush™ membership may buy up to 2 tickets per performance at the discount price of $12 per ticket. Tickets are available online (www.nac-cna.ca) or at the NAC box office from 10 a.m. on the day before the performance until 6 p.m. on the day of the show. This includes all available seats, including the best seats in the house. Check out liverush.ca for information on the Trinity Live Rush program.
• Groups of 10 or more save 15% to 20% off regular ticket prices. To reserve your seats, call 613 947-7000, ext. 634 or e-mail grp@nac-cna.ca
• For additional information and photos/video of the production, visit the NAC website at www.nac-cna.ca

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For more information
Clara Wicke
Marketing and Communications Officer, Dance/ Agente de marketing et de communication, Danse
National Arts Centre/Centre national des Arts
(613) 947-7000 X379 cell: 613-617-4782
clara.wicke@nac-cna.ca