I’m resurrecting this post from 16 Dec 2012 (published 3 years ago today!) on The Nutcracker ballet performances in Vancouver, Canada. Every year, there are always at least two ballet companies that perform The Nutcracker for all to enjoy.

Goh Ballet

Goh Ballet puts on a spectacular Nutcracker every year at the Centre for Performing Arts with their incredibly talented students (many of whom go on to join well-known ballet companies around the world), guest principal dancers from a ballet company, and guest Vancouver celebrities (like the Mayor!). I’ve had the privilege to attend two performances in the last two years and have loved each one. I’m sure many will agree with me but Goh’s ballet dancers are so skilled and elegant that there is practically no need to have guest principal dancers to play the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Prince/Cavalier. (Nevertheless, it’s always exciting to have visiting principal dancers from one of the international ballet companies.)

Goh’s Nutcracker is based on the adaptation by Marius Petipa from 1892 with costumes set around the 1800’s (but not the 1890’s). Clara is played by a young girl, as is her Nutcracker prince. The ballet company is accompanied by the Vancouver Opera Orchestra.

Moreover, Miss604 (ends the 20th), Georgia Straight (not this year), and Vancouver Courier (ended) usually have contests so that you can win tickets to see Goh’s Nutcracker!

Alberta Ballet & BC Ballet

Just about every year, Alberta Ballet & Ballet BC team up to put on The Nutcracker set in Imperial Russia (at the turn of the 20th Century). Lots of kokoshniks and furs to take one’s breath away! I went to see one performance in 2010 and fell in love with everything – the dancing, costumes, and set! Clara dances en pointe in this version and the dancers are accompanied by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. You can find some half-price tickets through Tickets Tonight.

Royal Winnipeg Ballet

3 years ago today, I had the opportunity to see RWB’s The Nutcracker. Since RWB rarely performs their Nutcracker – set in Canada in 1913 – in Vancouver, you’ll want to get tickets to see this performance as soon as you can! Apparently, this Nutcracker performance is supposed to be the closest to the original Russian Nutcracker. Since the ballet was set in Canada, you’ll see hockey (the boys roller skated on stage!) and even a bear (probably the funniest and most delightful character on stage)! You can read the synopsis and see the promo clip to see what I got to see!

Clara is played by a younger girl in ballet slippers but her dream sequences are played by a ballerina en pointe. In this version, it is Clara who dances the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy – rather than the Sugar Plum Fairy herself. You can find some half-price tickets through Tickets Tonight.

Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s Nutcracker is picture perfect (Georgia Straight)

~*~ Enjoy! ~*~