Dreams come true for talented RWB School students
Winnipeg, MB (December 1, 2010) – Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet will return to the Centennial Concert Hall with Galina Yordanova and Nina Menon’s Nutcracker, the holiday classic beloved by Manitobans young and old, from December 22-29, 2010.
Festive, clever and bright, RWB’s Nutcracker is set in a stately home on Winnipeg’s Wellington Crescent and features uniquely Canadian scenes, like a snowy pond hockey game and a battle on Parliament Hill. Don’t miss the fun as young Clara’s Christmas fantasy comes to life with dancing mice, toy soldiers and a mischievous dessert-stealing bear. Set to a beautifully nostalgic score by Pyotr IIyich Tchaikovsky, RWB’s Nutcracker sparkles from head to toe with scenic design by Brian Perchaluk, costume design by Paul Daigle and lighting design by Michael J. Whitfield. All of Manitoba is invited to join the scores of families already in line for this boisterous celebration!
“The stuff of dreams. Still charming the bah-humbugs out of even the most jaded.”
– The Winnipeg Free Press
The role of adult Clara in RWB’s Nutcracker will be performed by RWB Soloists Amanda Green and Jo-Ann Sundermeier and Second Soloist Maureya Lebowitz. Soloists Dmitri Dovgoselets and Yosuke Mino and Guest Artist Carlos Quenedit will perform the role of The Nutcracker Prince. All performances will be accompanied by the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, conducted by RWB Music Director Tadeusz Biernacki.
For students in the RWB School, RWB’s Nutcracker is more than just a treasured holiday tradition – it is the professional opportunity of a lifetime! Every year, RWB’s Nutcracker provides RWB School Recreational Division students the exclusive opportunity to perform with the Company in the roles of Party Children, Mounties, Mice and Angels. The roles of young Clara and young Julien, however, are reserved for students in the School’s prestigious Professional Division program. This year, Alexandra Fahlgren, Akanbi Babatunde, Rainah Uhl and Connor Coughlin will be given the honour of dancing these roles alongside their heroes.
“I’ve dreamed of performing with the RWB for as long as I can remember,” says Alexandra Fahlgren, RWB School Professional Division Student. “So many of the dancers I look up to had their debut in Nutcracker when they were my age. My parents are coming all the way from Toronto to see me dance the role of young Clara and I am so excited to share this proud moment with them.”
RWB’s Nutcracker is always extremely popular with Winnipeg audiences so the public is advised to act now before it’s too late! Tickets for Nutcracker start at $30 and are available through the RWB Customer Service Office at 380 Graham Avenue or by calling (204) 956-2792 or 1-800-667-4792 toll free. Children can see the show for only $20 with the exception of seats in Section A. Tickets are also available through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling (204) 253-ARTS (2787). Groups of ten or more can secure great seats at great prices! Call the RWB Groups Manager at (204) 957-3494 or email groups@rwb.org
Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet is proud to acknowledge Nutcracker Premier Sponsor Great-West Life and Performance Partner Perth’s for their generous support. The RWB also wishes to acknowledge the support of its funders the Department of Canadian Heritage, the Canada Council for the Arts, the Province of Manitoba, the Manitoba Arts Council, the Winnipeg Arts Council and Arts Stabilization Manitoba.
For more information about RWB’s Nutcracker, visit the RWB website at www.rwb.org
Nutcracker Events
Walk-On Roles: During select performances. RWB is thrilled to have local celebrities and members of the media step into the Party Scene of Nutcracker again this year. Stay tuned for an official announcement of this year’s exciting line-up!
Filbert Appearances: Before all performances and at intermission. RWB’s beloved Filbert the Bear will be on hand to dole out hugs and high-fives to all of his fans, and maybe some of his famous dance moves, too!
Choir Concerts: Before select performances. Join us in the lobby of the Centennial Concert Hall for some festive pre-show entertainment featuring local choirs.
Portrait Booth: Before all performances and at intermission. Have your family portrait taken on an antique sleigh donated by Russell Inn. A professional photographer from Dustin Cochrane Photography will be on for hand select performances to assist (suggested donation $5) but be sure to bring along your own camera so you don’t miss out on the fun!
Children’s Activities: Before all performances and at intermission. Children of all ages are invited to visit the Piano Nobile for some Nutcracker-themed arts and crafts.
Backstage Tour: Tuesday, December 28th following the evening performance. Join RWB Production Stage Manager, Ingrid Kottke, for an intimate look at the exciting world of dance behind the scenes. Meet at the posted sign in the North wing of the Centennial Concert Hall lobby. Admission is free.
Meet the Dancers: Sunday, December 26th following the matinee performance. RWB dancers will be available in the Piano Nobile to answer questions and sign autographs.
Behind-the-Scenes Videos: If you didn’t have a chance to check them out last year, visit the RWB website to watch behind-the-scenes videos of Nutcracker at www.rwb.org/nutcracker
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A Media Call will be held on Tuesday, December 21st at 1:30 pm at the Centennial Concert Hall. Details to follow.
For more information, to arrange interviews, or for access to high-resolution images and video footage, please contact:
Kate Hodgert
Publicity Manager
Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet
khodgert@rwb.org
380 Graham Ave
Winnipeg, MB R3C 4K2
(204) 957-3447
www.rwb.org
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Calendar / Event Listing
What: RWB’s Nutcracker
Location: Centennial Concert Hall (555 Main Street, Winnipeg)
Dates/Times: December
22, 26 & 28, 2010 at 7:00 pm
December 23, 26, 27 & 29, 2010 at 2:00 pm
Tickets: Tickets for Nutcracker start at $30 and are available through the RWB Customer Service Office at 380 Graham Avenue or by calling (204) 956-2792 or 1-800-667-4792 toll free. Children can see the show for only $20 with the exception of seats in Section A. Tickets are also available through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling (204) 253-ARTS (2787). Groups of ten or more should contact the RWB Groups Manager at (204) 957-3494 or email groups@rwb.org to secure great seats at great prices!
