November 23, 2006 -

OTTAWA -- Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal and the National Arts Centre Orchestra perform the ever-popular festive favourite The Nutcracker in Southam Hall of the National Arts Centre from December 7 to 10, 2006 (at both evening and matinee performances).  The traditional Christmas version of this magical ballet is a whimsical fantasy that remains as timeless and spellbinding as ever – it’s the perfect holiday treat for the whole family!

Dozens of young dancers from Ottawa (boys and girls aged 7-16) are featured in this production.  Chosen from hundreds of young people who auditioned earlier this autumn, these talented performers appear as mice, rats, Orientals, Russian girls, angels, and reindeer. All the young performers are trained by Gatineau-based choreographer André Laprise, who has been the Assistant to the Choreographer for productions of The Nutcracker since 1984.

The Nutcracker tells the tale of young Clara, who is given a nutcracker as a Christmas gift by Drosselmeyer, her godfather. Later that evening, Clara dreams that she must defend her present against the King of the Mice. The nutcracker then changes into a handsome prince, who takes her on a fabulous journey. After passing through a snowstorm, they come to the Kingdom of the Sweets, where the Sugar Plum Fairy honours them with a Grand Divertissement. Accompanied by Tchaikovsky’s memorable score, The Nutcracker received its premiere in 1892 in St. Petersburg, Russia – and it has been a favourite with audiences ever since. This production, brilliantly choreographed by Fernand Nault (recipient of a Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for lifetime achievement in 2000) is the third stage version created by Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal. The Nutcracker was completely redesigned in 1987, on the occasion of the company’s 30th anniversary, and it features sets by Peter Horne, costumes by Francois Barbeau, and lighting by Nicholas Cernovitch.

The Nutcracker
CHOREOGRAPHY Fernand Nault
MUSIC Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
SET DESIGN Peter Horne
COSTUME DESIGN François Barbeau
LIGHTING DESIGN Nicholas Cernovitch

• Over 300 individuals (technicians, dancers, musicians, etc.) are directly involved in the production
• The show has two acts requiring five set changes, hundreds of props, and 500 light sources
• The 234 costumes (worth about $1000 each) are made of 4,000 metres of fabric. Each year, the workshop of Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal employs up to 30 people for costume maintenance and creation, and $150,000 is invested annually in the fabrication of sets and costumes
• The Nutcracker requires 1,500 pairs of ballet shoes each year
• The Nutcracker features 135 dancers, including the entire company, and dozens of student dancers, child, youth, and adult dancers (including many local performers) portraying 144 characters
• More than two million people have seen this production of The Nutcracker since 1964

PRE-PERFORMANCE SUGARPLUM PARTIES PRESENTED BY TIM HORTONS
Prior to each performance, the NAC foyer will be alive with excitement! Activities include
bilingual readings of the classic Nutcracker fairytale, a dress-up corner,
and two interactive discovery stations presented by Canada Museum of Science and Technology
and the Children's Museum at the Museum of Civilization.

Sugarplum Parties begin at 18:00 prior to evening performances and at 12:30 before matinee performances. Free with every Nutcracker ticket!

Presented by Tim Hortons
in association with the Canada Science and Technology Museum, the Children's Museum
at the Museum of Civilization, and Majic 100 – 100 FM

COME CELEBRATE THE SEASON

• Pre-show performances by local choirs take place on the NAC foyer stage before each performance of The Nutcracker.
• The NAC also comes alive with beautifully decorated Christmas Trees, a partnership with local organizations which decorate special Christmas trees displayed in the NAC foyer.
• Following each December performance of the NAC Orchestra, NACO musicians will stroll throughout the lobby collecting funds for the Snowsuit Fund and the Ottawa Food Bank.

Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal perform The Nutcracker in Southam Hall of the National Arts Centre on December 7 and 8 at 19:00 and December 9 and 10 at 13:30 and 19:00. Tickets are $44.60, $56, $66.90, and $74.30 for adults, $23.75, $29.50, $35, and $38.75 for students (upon presentation of a valid student ID card) and $ 23.55, $29.25, $34.70, and $38.40 for children age 12 and under. Tickets are available at the NAC Box Office (in person) and through Ticketmaster (with surcharges) at (613) 755-1111; Ticketmaster may also be accessed through the NAC’s website at www.nac-cna.ca. Same-day Live Rush tickets (subject to availability) for full-time students (aged 13-29) are $10 at the NAC Box Office between 14:00 and 18:00 on the day of performance only, upon presentation of a valid ‘Live Rush’ card. Groups of 10 or more save 15% to 20% off regular ticket prices to all NAC Music, Theatre and Dance performances; to reserve your seats, call 947-7000 ext. 384 or e-mail grp@nac-cna.ca.

Photos for all dance events can be viewed and downloaded at: www.nac-cna.ca/media/

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Information:
Gerald Morris, Marketing and Media Relations,
NAC Dance Department
(613) 947-7000, ext. 249
gmorris@nac-cna.ca