The Nutcracker!
Colourful
characters, larger-than-life puppets, breathtaking live music, a fairy tale
ballet; Symphony Nova Scotia is proud to present its 22nd-anniversary
production of The Nutcracker, a holiday treat for all ages!
Running
from December 7-15 at the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium, this annual production by
Symphony Nova Scotia, Halifax Dance, and Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia is
unmatched by any other in the province. Combining the talents of over 100
musicians, dancers, and production staff, The Nutcracker entertains thousands
of Nova Scotians each year.
It’s
the story of a young girl who falls asleep in a dormitory and wakes up in a
fantasy world with her beloved Nutcracker. Together, they fight the vicious
Mouse Queen and travel through an enchanting Land of Snow to the Palace of the
Rag Doll Queen, where flowers, dolls, and toys come to life.
“It’s
the fairy tale of the ages,” says Leica Hardy, The Nutcracker’s choreographer
and artistic director. “Like all great stories, it’s about imagination, coming
of age, and the power of kindness.”
The
Nutcracker weaves its magic through a combination of larger-than-life puppetry,
live music, and dramatic narrative dance. The cast includes more than 40
dancers and puppeteers, ranging in age from nine all the way to 60. And while
the dancers and puppets are onstage, more than 40 Symphony Nova Scotia
musicians are beneath them in the orchestra pit performing the music from
Tchaikovsky’s famous Nutcracker ballet.
When
Leica choreographed this version of The Nutcracker more than 20 years ago, she
had no idea it would become Halifax’s longest-running annual seasonal
tradition.
“We
started out with a three-year contract!” she says. “It’s amazing to me how The
Nutcracker has become such an important part of the cultural fiber of our
community. It’s the marriage of puppetry, live music, and live dance that makes
it so special.”
This
year’s production features a mixture of new and familiar faces onstage. Clara
will be played by Vivika Ballard, who trained as a child at Halifax Dance,
followed by seven years at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School. For the past two
years she has trained at the Leica Hardy School of Dance. Rebecca Wolfe will be
reprising her role as Frieda and the Mouse Queen. As the daughter of
choreographer Leica Hardy and principal dancer Christopher Wolfe, Rebecca has
literally grown up with The Nutcracker, performing everything from a baby mouse
to a snow maiden.
Other
principal dancers this year are veterans Henry Jackson (the Nutcracker Prince),
Gay Hauser (Fraulein Drosselmeyer), Christopher Wolfe (the Janitor), and Alexis
Milligan (Mother Ginger).
And
what can families expect when they come to see The Nutcracker for the first
time?
“The
marvellous thing about this version of the ballet is that it has dramatic and
visual appeal for all ages,” says Leica.
“The
package of the music, the images, and the magic of the story are like the
biggest, most beautifully gift-wrapped box under the Christmas tree. It’s a
wonderful way to spend time together with loved ones, celebrating innocence and
the magic of the imagination.”
The Nutcracker at the Rebecca
Cohn Auditorium, Halifax
December
7, 8, 14, & 15 at 7:30 pmDecember 8, 9, & 15 at 2:00 pm
December 13 at 4:00 pm
