Review: The Nutcracker (The National Ballet of Canada)

The holiday spirit has begun! Cue the tacky christmas sweaters, endless carols, and every dancer’s favorite tradition: The Nutcracker. This world-famous ballet has become synonymous with the holiday season, performed by ballet companies around the globe. Yet when it comes to opulence, few can rival the National Ballet of Canada’s production.

There are many different versions of The Nutcracker, but the National Ballet of Canada’s long-running production—29 years and counting—has been that of choreographer James Kudelka. This celebrated Canadian choreographer is perhaps best known for this beloved version of The Nutcracker, which debuted in 1995, as well as his acclaimed ballet The Four Seasons (1997). Kudelka served as the Artistic Director of the company for nine years, as well as its Resident Choreographer.

Kudelka’s version is taken from E.T.A. Hoffmann’s story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King but reimagines the adventure from that of a solitary child to a sister-and-brother duo—a fantastic choice, as their sibling squabbles and bickering bring a relatable charm to the story. One thing to note is that the young female lead here is Marie, not Clara, staying true to Hoffmann’s original story. Of course, it’s all set to Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s perfect and nostalgic score.

You probably know the story, but here’s a little refresher: it begins on a snowy evening at a Christmas party in a broken down barn, where siblings Marie and Misha are joined by their eccentric and magical Uncle Nikolai, who brings them gifts—including a special Nutcracker doll. When the clock strikes midnight, the Christmas tree grows, and the Nutcracker and other toys come to life. Together, the brother, sister and Nutcracker go on an adventure, facing the sinister Mouse King before journeying to the enchanting Kingdom of the Sugar Plum Fairy, where they encounter a host of magical characters.

A majority of the cast for the production comes from the adorable and talented dancers of Canada’s National Ballet School, particularly in the first act. This ballet is a celebration of community, as each year the students grow into new parts, starting as little mice or sheep and eventually becoming big, plump rats or townspeople. Two students take center stage - Héloïse Haibe-Kains as Marie and Eamon Currie as Misha. They are brilliant in their roles - dancing and acting larger than life, although they are only thirteen!

The principals for opening night feature Christopher Gerty and Heather Ogden in the roles of Peter/The Nutcracker and the Sugar Plum Fairy. Genevieve Penn Nabity danced as the Snow Queen, while Ben Rudisin took on the role of Uncle Nikolai.

Gerty is incredibly charming throughout the performance, and his dancing delivers with perfect technique and timing. Rudisin, meanwhile, is a standout as Uncle Nikolai, blending magic, charisma, and technical brilliance into a performance that is truly delightful to watch. His role features some of the most dynamic choreography in the production, full of beautifully executed jumps and turns. It’s also no surprise that Penn Nabity is a perfect Snow Queen; the role suits her technical strength and strong stage presence perfectly.

Although the true star of the ballet might just be its set and costume design by Santo Loquasto. They never lose their charm and have a complete life of their own. Among the many memorable characters, my favorite costumes are the lifelike horse puppet (brought to life by two dancers) and the bear on roller skates. Adding to the magic is Jennifer Tipton’s bright and beautiful lighting design, bringing to life the whimsical world on stage.

If you didn’t know, one of the most beloved traditions of The Nutcracker is the Cannon Dolls, where local celebrity guests make a surprise appearance on stage. Over the years at the National Ballet of Canada, this role has been filled by an array of notable figures like Rick Mercer and Kyle Lowry. This year’s lineup features some exciting names, including Canadian Olympic stars like gold medalist swimmer Summer McIntosh, beach volleyball’s Melissa Humana-Paredes, and Paralympian wheelchair racer Austin Smeenk. It was also so exciting to see PWHL players for the new Toronto Sceptres team, Natalie Spooner and Kristen Campbell listed. Television personalities include Jeopardy champion and CBC Radio host Mattea Roach, along with Breakfast Television host Stella Acquisto. You never know who you’ll get! For opening night, the roles were filled by Ontario Arts Council CEO Michael Murray and their Board Chair, Simon Foster.

The Nutcracker is a holiday classic that everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime—though it’s even better as an annual tradition to kick off the holiday season. Tickets are incredibly limited, and I guarantee every seat will sell out. So be sure to get yours as soon as possible.

An extra note: If you’re interested in learning more about this fantastic ballet, I highly recommend Jennifer Fisher’s book Nutcracker Nation: How an Old World Ballet Became a Christmas Tradition in the New World (2003). Written by one of my favorite scholars, it dives into the ballet’s history and its importance for companies today.

The Nutcracker, presented by the National Ballet of Canada at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts (145 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5H 4G1) is playing until December 31st 2024. Tickets are very limited. They range from $59 to $215. Tickets can be purchased online here.

National.Ballet.ca | Socials: @nationalballet

Photo 1: Owen Kincade and Cecilia Campbell-Cotte in The Nutcracker. Photo by Karolina Kuras. Courtesy of The National Ballet of Canada.

Photo 2: Heather Ogden and Christopher Gerty in The Nutcracker. Photo by Karolina Kuras. Courtesy of The National Ballet of Canada.

Photo 3: Artists of the Ballet in The Nutcracker. Photo by Karolina Kuras. Courtesy of The National Ballet of Canada.

Photo 4: Artists of the Ballet in The Nutcracker. Photo by Karolina Kuras. Courtesy of The National Ballet of Canada.

Written by Deanne Kearney DeanneKearney.com @deannekearney