Revelstoke youth to debut in ballet The Nutcracker

The classical ballet The Nutcracker is sold out in Revelstoke as professionals and local youth prepare to combine their talents for this magical winter performance.

It’s been a learning curve for the Revelstoke performing arts community over the past few months. Local youth have a short window of time for full rehearsals when Ballet Victoria arrives on Sunday, Dec. 18 before the show on Monday Dec. 19.

Photo: Ballet Victoria

The local performers are aged between six and 16 and are responsible for the children roles in the popular narrative including the group of mice, the party girls, Pandora and the minions.

“It’s not just about being an amazing dancer, I think what’s great about this experience and being part of The Nutcracker is that is a lot of it is acting,” RPAC director Miriam Manley said.

Elevation Dance Academy teachers Kate Lafrenier and Jenny Newsome and dance community engagement facilitator Rana Nelson put in a huge effort with choreography to ensure the movements of each of these parts are accurate. Manley said it’s been a lot of work but the community has risen to the challenge.

“Everyone involved has really had to go the extra mile,” she said. “I’m excited for Monday when we see the payoff of everyone’s hard work.”

The ballet sold out quickly and is the first time the Revelstoke Performing Arts Centre has had a full-story performance. Ballet Victoria artistic and executive director Paul Destrooper said his team is looking forward to the show.

“Our version is pretty contemporary and relevant to today’s audiences with present cultural references as well as traditional ballet technique and artistry,” he said. “It is a version for the 21st century filled with humour and a little magic.”

Show guide

Run Time: Two 40+ minute acts with a 20-minute intermission

Act 1

As per their annual tradition, Clara’s family is welcoming guests to their unique Christmas Eve party. Family and friends are in attendance to enjoy the festivities with dancing and the decorating of the Christmas tree with the ornaments brought by Clara’s Uncle Dross. However, this year, with a few surprises, he brought a box from his exotic travels, a box that is not to be opened.

As the evening draws to an end and everyone has retired for the night, little Clara sneaks back into the living room to take a closer look at the mysterious red box. Ignoring her Uncle’s warning she opens it and releases a myriad of fantastic characters that create chaos around the house (Spanish and Russian dolls, mice, an Arabian princess, a white dragon and more). Clara is terrified and even her Uncle’s magic seems powerless. Uncle Dross summons the Nutcracker for help who in turn asks the Snow Princess out of the box to help cool the situation!

Intermission (20 minutes)

Act 2

The Snow Princess tells Clara how she can bring peace back into her home. To do so, she must conquer her fear of the unknown and dance with all the fabulous characters. She must then thank them with a rose so that they willingly go back in the box. When all have gone back in the box, Dewdrop and her Cavalier offer a dance celebration with the roses, followed by the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Prince grand pas de deux.

Clara closes the box, Christmas night is quiet again and all dream about presents and the wonderful times shared with family and friends.