Ballet BC is proud to announce the return to Vancouver of Alberta Ballet’s The Nutcracker, at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre from December 28 to 31, featuring three evening performances and two matinees. This is going to be a treat, as I recently watched this company in complete awe as they performed Love Lies Bleeding, a fantastic show set to songs by Elton John and Bernie Taupin.
[Yukichi Hattori]
Lead Love Lies Bleeding talent Yukichi Hattori will be back as one of the featured dancers in The Nutcracker.
Choreographed by Edmund Stripe, with sets and costumes designed by Emmy Award-winning designer Zack Brown, The Nutcracker is set in turn-of-the-20th-century Imperial Russia, an era of opulent grandeur. The production brings “a fresh, vibrant magic to the mix where every cent of the $1.5 million budget is displayed through the stunning set designs and elaborate costumes” (The Calgary Herald).
With scores of children, mice in the battle scene dressed as Cossack soldiers, and snowflakes dressed as Russian princesses, this “sparking and spectacular achievement” (The Calgary Herald) offers a perfect complement to Tchaikovsky’s glorious musical score to be performed live by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
[The Alberta Ballet performing The Nutcracker]
And according to Ballet BC’s Artistic Director Emily Molnar, “The Vancouver premiere of Alberta Ballet’s The Nutcracker last year was a huge success with Vancouver audiences. We’re sure the return of this magical version of the delightful Christmas story will add magic to the holiday season of both dance and music lovers alike.”
Alberta Ballet’s The Nutcracker with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
Venue: Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 649 Cambie Street, Vancouver
Dates: Wednesday to Saturday, December 28 to 31
Times: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday (December 28-30), 7:30 pm;
Friday and Saturday, December 30 and 31, 2 pm matinee
Tickets for The Nutcracker can be purchased via Ticketmaster, either online or by phoning 1.855.985.2787. Prices range from $22.50 to $70.00 (excluding service charges and HST).
Now in its 45th season, Alberta Ballet is Canada’s third largest dance company, operating and performing in both Calgary and Edmonton. Some of the finest Canadian ballet companies are presented via the company, including the National Ballet of Canada, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal and Ballet BC.
Photos courtesy of Darren Makowichuki.
