{"id":3819,"date":"2015-11-27T13:38:39","date_gmt":"2015-11-27T18:38:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/symphonynovascotia.ca\/?p=3819"},"modified":"2015-11-27T13:46:54","modified_gmt":"2015-11-27T18:46:54","slug":"the-nutcracker-returns-for-its-25th-year-as-halifaxs-favourite-holiday-tradition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/symphonynovascotia.ca\/the-nutcracker-returns-for-its-25th-year-as-halifaxs-favourite-holiday-tradition\/","title":{"rendered":"The Nutcracker returns for its 25th year as Halifax\u2019s favourite holiday tradition!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Presented by Symphony Nova Scotia with Halifax Dance and Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia<\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

December 4, 11, 12 & 13 at 7:30 pm<\/strong><\/span><\/em>
\nDecember 5, 6, 12 & 13 at 2:00 pm
\nDecember 10 at 4:00 pm<\/strong><\/span><\/em>
\nRebecca Cohn Auditorium, Halifax<\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Choreographed and directed by Leica Hardy
\nPuppetry direction by Jim Morrow<\/strong><\/span><\/em>
\nConducted by Bernhard Gueller
\nMusic by Pyotr Ilytch Tchaikovsky<\/strong><\/span><\/em>
\nScript by Anthony Black<\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Featuring Hannah Mae Cruddas as Clara and Henry Jackson as the Nutcracker Prince<\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Halifax, NS<\/strong> \u2013 Colourful characters. Larger-than-life puppets. Breathtaking live music. A fairy tale ballet. Symphony Nova Scotia is proud to present its 25th anniversary production of The Nutcracker, a holiday adventure for all ages!<\/p>\n

Running from December 4-13 at Halifax’s 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.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s the story of a young girl who falls asleep in a dormitory and wakes up in a fantasy world with her beloved Nutcracker Prince. 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.<\/p>\n

The 25th anniversary production of The Nutcracker brings back the combination of larger-than-life puppetry, live music, and dramatic narrative dance that Halifax audiences have loved for 24 years. However, it also features some special updates \u2013 including a brand-new prologue, refreshed choreography, and sparkling new costumes and puppets.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Nutcracker has never failed to express what is best about the holiday season,” says choreographer and artistic director Leica Hardy.
\n\u201cIt remains full of beauty, charm, joy and enthusiasm. It has embodied my holiday sentiments for the past 24 years and I look forward to sharing it with everyone each year.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Nutcracker\u2019s cast of dancers is made up of local professionals performing alongside young dancers from Halifax Dance, the Leica Hardy School of Dance, and other local dance schools. Combined, there are more than 40 dancers and puppeteers in the production, ranging in age from nine all the way to 65.
\nThis year\u2019s production features the highly anticipated return of 22-year-old Halifax native Hannah Mae Cruddas, who will once again dance the principal role of Clara after her debut in the role last year.<\/p>\n

Hannah Mae has literally grown up with The Nutcracker \u2013 she made her first appearance in the production at age 10 as a Little Mouse, and since then has danced a variety of roles, including the Rag Doll and Snow Maiden. Hannah Mae is currently a company dancer with Canada’s Ballet J\u00f6rgen in Toronto, and is in the midst of performing in Sleeping Beauty for her fifth season with the company. Sleeping Beauty comes to Halifax in April 2016.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am especially thrilled to have my former student, Hannah Mae Cruddas, perform the role of Clara this year,\u201d says Leica. \u201cHannah Mae\u2019s charm and fresh spirit will delight everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Other principal dancers this year are veterans Henry Jackson (the Nutcracker Prince), Gay Hauser (Fraulein Sophia Drosselmeyer), Alexis Milligan (Fraulein Lotte Drosselmeyer\/Mother Ginger), and Christopher Wolfe (the Janitor), as well as local university student Julia Sarty in her second year as Frieda\/the Mouse Queen.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s famous Nutcracker ballet.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have a very emotional relationship with The Nutcracker\u2019s composer, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, and conducting his works is always a very heartfelt experience for me,\u201d says Maestro Bernhard Gueller, who will conduct each Nutcracker performance.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn The Nutcracker, unlike some of Tchaikovsky\u2019s other works, there\u2019s none of the anguish, but just a selection of glorious music. There are very few serious works that include one hit after another, and the second act of The Nutcracker in particular goes from one musical high point to the next!\u201d<\/p>\n

And what can families expect when they come to see The Nutcracker for the first time? \u201cThe marvellous thing about this version of the ballet is that it has dramatic and visual appeal for all ages,\u201d says Leica.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe 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\u2019s a wonderful way to spend time together with loved ones, celebrating innocence and the magic of the imagination.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tickets for The Nutcracker are already limited, so order today! Tickets are $15-30 for students and children and $30-55 for adults, HST included, and are available at the Dalhousie Arts Centre Box Office at 6101 University Avenue (open 12-6 pm weekdays), 902.494.3820, or online at symphonynovascotia.ca<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Watch a preview of The Nutcracker:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n