24th Annual Performance of Nutcracker Presented by Pia Bouman School in The Junction

Poster: Pia Bouman School for Ballet and Creative Movement and Scotiabank Present Nutcracker 2009
The Lismer Hall at Humberside C.I. December 17 - 20
Photography: Jackson Huang
Design and Art Direction: Odette Ziezold
Credit: piaboumanschool.org

"For 24 years we've shared this seasonal classic and played a part in Toronto's holiday cheer," says Pia Bouman, artistic director and founder of Pia Bouman School for Ballet and Creative Movement. "My Nutcracker production has never been the same twice, so each year we give our audience a little something different to enjoy in addition to the enchanting story they already know and love."
Holiday Magic Returns: West-End Nutcracker Performance Celebrates 24 Years
Press-Release by Marketwire - Nov. 16, 2009

Pia Bouman School for Ballet and Creative Movement invites Toronto to be a part of its 24th annual performance of Nutcracker.

Nutcracker

Performances:
Thursday, Dec 17, 7:30 pm
Friday, Dec 18, 7:30 pm
Saturday, Dec 19, 1:30 & 7:30 pm
Sunday, Dec 20, 1:30 pm

Location:
Lismer Hall, Humberside Collegiate Institute
280 Quebec Avenue, Toronto, ON

Premiered: 1985
Choreography by: Pia Bouman
Special attraction: Using over 1,000 props and costumes, this staging of Nutcracker takes community theatre to a must-see level of complexity and professionalism.
With over 100 dancers, a massive effort from performers and volunteers is undertaken to mount this unique production, where dancers often share the stage with siblings, parents and grandparents – and your entrance actually becomes part of the opening scene.
Bouman’s Nutcracker has never been the same twice. Each year brings new variations and embellishments to choreography, costuming, characters and sets, while staying true to the timeless story audiences have come to enjoy at this special time of year.
A community-based Nutcracker, a local politician is often enlisted to make a cameo appearance. Mayor David Miller was a popular guest artist but hasn't been back since the year he and Toronto Star feature writer Kenneth Kidd, recruited as stretcher-bearers, dropped the Mouse King on the stage.
Venue: Humberside Collegiate Institute was established in 1892 as one of the original collegiates of the old townships of Toronto. It is a secondary school of approximately 1050 students with students attending grades 9 to 12. Humberside is a neighbourhood school which draws its student body from the population of the immediate area.

This production by students of the Pia Bouman School is a must-see performance for lovers of the traditional story of the Nutcracker.

Bolshoi Ballet [The State Academic Bolshoi Theatre of Russia]:
The Nutcracker: Snowflakes; Clara - Natalia Arkhipova; Prince - Irek Mukhamedov
by dancie October 19, 2006

links:
Backstage Pass: National Ballet of Canada: Karen Kain and Washington Post Critic Sarah Kaufman discuss The Nutcracker on CBC Radio’s Q
nutcrackerballet.net: Humberside Collegiate - The Nutcracker produced by Pia Bouman School for Ballet and Creative Movement.
This annual production has been embraced by the Parkdale and High Park communities for the last 20 years! Although the story remains the same it is re-choreographed each year by Artistic Director Pia Bouman and is performed by the school's students aged 8-18 years with special adult guests. It is a real example of what can be accomplished with a youth company and with the support of parent volunteers to organize the costumes, sets, and props. For information online: www.piaboumanschool.org
blogto.com: Nutcracker
academic.ru: The Nutcracker
The Nutcracker Ballet is based on the book called "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King" written by E.T.A. Hoffman. In 1891, the legendary choreographer Marius Petipa commissioned Tchaikovsky to write the music for the Nutcracker Ballet. In 1892, the first showing of the Nutcracker took place at the Mariinsky Theatre of Russia, home of the Kirov Ballet. The Nutcracker made its way to Western Europe in the 1930's and to America by 1940, performed by Ballet Russe. The first American full length Nutcracker was performed by the San Francisco Ballet, choreographed by W. Christensen. The Nutcracker has since become an annual Holiday tradition.
Christmas Stories: 'The Nutcracker'
by Eta Hoffmann