NEWS RELEASE
LIVE AT THE HIPPO POOL EVENTS
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It is with great pleasure that Live at the Hippo Pool Events continues the Nutcracker tradition in Guelph.
Canada’s Ballet Jörgen returns to River Run Centre on Wednesday, Dec. 20 and Thursday, Dec. 21 at 7:30 p.m. with performances of The Nutcracker - a Canadian Tradition.
Canada’s Ballet Jörgen premiered this quintessentially Canadian Nutcracker in 2008 to rave reviews. Choreographed by Bengt Jörgen to Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s much loved score, this delightful re-working of the timeless classic is born from a collaboration with the world-renowned McMichael Canadian Art Collection. The Nutcracker features as backdrops, three works by Canada’s 20th Century landscape artists – Franklin Carmichael’s Church and Houses at Bisset (1931), Tom Thomson’s Snow in the Woods (1916) and L.L. FitzGerald’s Trees and Wildflowers (1922).
Set in the early 1900s, this homegrown Nutcracker brings to life the magical tale of a little girl’s Christmas dream and her grand journey through our northern landscapes filled with snowflakes, trilliums and creatures of the woods.
“The charming production… features beautifully rendered backdrop reproductions of iconic works by Carmichael, Thomson and FitzGerald and is ideally suited for young audiences. With its Edwardian setting in Algonquin and all its animal characters, from beavers and bullfrogs to skunks and squirrels, Jörgen’s new... Nutcracker is adorable even before it starts wagging its tails.” - Michael Crabb, National Post
In September, young dancers from Guelph and surrounding communities auditioned for a variety of roles in this year’s Guelph performances. At those auditions, 23 dancers were selected and these youth will participate in this year’s River Run performances. The company’s Nutcracker Youth Program provides young dancers with the opportunity to perform with a professional dance company and, for those considering a career in dance, a valuable opportunity to experience the inner life and working of a ballet company.
Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, Canada’s Ballet Jörgen makes ballet and Canadian choreography a meaningful part of Canadians’ lives through performance, education, and community engagement. This acclaimed company ensures communities large and small, urban and rural have access to professional ballet experiences.
Between September 2017 and May 2018 the company will tour to nine provinces, with performances in over 40 communities. Renowned for ballets that combine innovation, warmth, humour and beauty, Ballet Jörgen is the only professional Canadian ballet company with a repertoire consisting exclusively of original works.
Canada’s Ballet Jörgen is the recipient of the 2011 National Arts Centre Award for Distinguished Contribution to Touring which recognizes the company’s leadership role in the development of touring by professional dancers and companies in Canada. Canada’s Ballet Jörgen is the most widely toured of this nation’s professional ballet companies - a true national treasure. Visit the company at its website.
For the River Run performances, all seats are reserved. Adult tickets are $51/$46, senior tickets are $48/$43 and student tickets are $35/$30. Premier seating price is $71. Prices include HST; additional service charges may apply.
This is an eyeGO performance. Tickets are now on sale at River Run Centre Box Office at (519)763-3000 or 1-877-520-2408 or via the website. The Guelph Tribune generously makes possible these performances and the involvement of local dance students.
In the spirit of seasonal giving, the community is invited to Share The Magic and support the work of Family and Children’s Services of Guelph and Wellington County. By pledging a ticket at the discounted price of $20, patrons can give a seat to a child or family who might otherwise not be able to share the Nutcracker magic. The box office is able to assist those wishing to give to share the magic.
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