HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS: RWB BRINGS MAGIC OF THE SEASON TO HOMETOWN
Another Nutcracker show added to 2018 Winnipeg lineup
The Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy returns to the Centennial Concert Hall from December 19-29 with the <>bRoyal Winnipeg Ballet (RWB)’s Canadian version of the festive classic, Nutcracker. Just in time for the holidays, the RWB celebrates the spirit of the season by ushering attendees to a winter wonderland at the turn of the nineteenth century.
Nutcracker, choreographed by Galina Yordanova and Nina Menon, is one of the largest productions by the RWB, putting around 60 dancers on stage. Two casts perform Nutcracker during its run, joined by students from both the RWB School’s Professional and Recreational Division, along with a colourful crew of walk-on guests.
“While producing Nutcracker, I tried to picture myself as Clara, adding my experience in every little detail,” said Menon. “I wanted Clara, the main character, to be surrounded by various strong women in her life, like Aunt Josephine, a character based on my great grandmother- an extremely practical down-to-earth woman.”
Nutcracker features stunningly beautiful and intricate costumes, such as a snowflake tutu which can take up to 50 hours to make, set designs reminiscent of Winnipeg in the early 1900’s, and lighting that illuminates the stage with magical winter wonderland effects. The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra completes the time-honored traditions as they accompany the dancers with Tchaikovsky’s brilliant and enduring score.
“I believe Nutcracker appeals to the child in all of us,” said RWB Artistic Director and CEO André Lewis. “In creating this version of Nutcracker nearly twenty years ago, I wanted to provide a Canadian perspective to this classic – something that people can relate to and relive those childhood memories.”
This year, the RWB is thrilled to have Canadian’s premier Ukrainian dance ensemble, Rusalka, join them on stage in Act II to dance a portion of Hopak, a traditional Ukrainian folk dance.
Prior to Winnipeg’s performances, the RWB performed Nutcracker at the Walton Arts Centre in Arkansas from November 23 – 25, and will perform at The Royal Theatre in Victoria, BC, from November 30 – December 2, Port Theatre in Nanaimo, BC, from December 4 – 5 and Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver, BC, from December 7 – 9.
Nutcracker has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada, the Canada Council for the Arts, and the Manitoba Arts Council. The RWB would like to express their gratitude to Great West Life, Premier Sponsor of Nutcracker.
“We’re proud to provide our continued support to the RWB as they bring families and our community together through world-class performances, during the holiday season and throughout the year,” said Debbie Down, Director, Community Relations, Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life. “The Nutcracker is a timeless classic, and experiencing it at this time of year has become a tradition for many families.”