Edmonton dance troupe to perform Ukrainian take on The Nutcracker
Local dance group Shumka is gearing up to perform its Ukrainian rendition of a Christmas classic.
Clara’s Dream, based on E.T. A. Hoffman’s beloved tale The Nutcracker and set to Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s composition, runs Dec. 29 and 30 at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium.
According to a press release from the troupe “Not only is Clara’s Dream a luxurious production loved by all ages, backgrounds and ethnicities, it is a true ‘Edmonton Nutcracker.’
“Reflective of the city and its ethnic vitality, the production features ballet, folk dance, and character dance in a celebration of Tchaikovsky’s beloved Christmas classic.”
The performance, it added, will include various staples of Ukrainian Christmas in its sets and costumes, while the dance itself will be heavily rooted in the traditions of the country.
It follows the character Clara’s wild dreams on Christmas Eve after she has receiving the Nutcracker as a gift.
True to its source material, the performance includes the battle with the Mouse King and (spoiler alert) the Nutcracker becoming a handsome prince after defeating his rodent foe and breaking the curse which made him little more than a toy.
Tickets are available online at Ticketmaster, and start at $20.
For more information, visit clarasdream.ca