The Nutcracker December 13, 2008

December 13th at 8pm & December 14th at 2pm

Celebrating their 15th season of a beloved holiday classic.

Xing Dance Theatre celebrates its 15th season onstage with the return of the Nutcracker on December 13th and 14th, 2008 at the Fleck Dance Theatre. Xing Bang Fu’s delightful choreography of this beloved holiday classic lights up Toronto stages annually with enchanting characters, sets and costumes. A fun family favourite, the Nutcracker Ballet pairs the refined form of ballet with the memorable magic and merriment of a Christmas story. With two shows only, there will be both a gala night performance and an afternoon matinee – part of Harbourfront Centre’s NextSteps program.

This year’s Nutcracker will be the last time that Principal Dancer Simon Sylvain Lalonde will be performing the role of the Nutcracker prince, culminating a performing career of 21 years. The Nutcracker features a cast of 50, including professional guests, recent graduates from the School of Toronto Dance Theatre, and talented young dancers from the Jian Dan Ballet School and the Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts.

The Nutcracker is infused with seasonal nostalgia, carried through over 115 years of performance tradition and woven with whimsical memory. Xing Dance Theatre’s enchanting production and diverse cast is a warm celebration for family and friends. As many choreographers before him, Xing Bang Fu has created a charming choreographic adaptation, while honouring the original story and the using the traditional score of Tchaikovsky.