'Twas the Night Before Nutcracker

'Twas the Night Before Nutcracker
Presented by Wilsons
Original Premiere: Sunday, December 5, 2021 at 2 pm ADT

‘Twas the night before Nutcracker, and all through the house
Magic was stirring, with a tale of a mouse…

In partnership with Halifax Dance and Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia, Symphony Nova Scotia presents an all-new online “Nutcracker in a Nutshell” this December! Join Clara and her friends as they celebrate Christmas Eve with their favourite tale – and fall into a delightful storybook adventure of magic, fantasy, and friendship. Featuring festive puppets, a condensed cast of characters, and an intimate ensemble of live musicians playing beautifully rescored excerpts of Tchaikovsky’s beloved music, this tale of holiday wonder is a chance to experience The Nutcracker for the first time, all over again.

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Keep the music playing! Donate to Symphony Nova Scotia today: https://symphonynovascotia.ca/support/donate/

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On the program:
Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker (excerpts)
arranged by L. Christopher Palmer and Lisa Portus

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Conducted by Holly Mathieson
Choreography and direction by Leica Hardy
Original story by E.T.A. Hoffman
Script by Jim Morrow, based on an original story adaptation by Leica Hardy and Graham Whitehead

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Dancers in tonight’s performance from the Young Company of Halifax Dance, Leica Hardy School of Dance, and Stars of Tomorrow:

Clara
Phoebe Rex

Frieda, the Class Bully and the Mouse Queen
Lucy Boyne

Spanish Dancer and Schoolgirl
Miranda Garvey

Janitor, Nutcracker, and Schoolgirl
Rebecca Swift

Schoolgirls and Ensemble
Leah Cousins, Niamh Draper, Jane Elliot, Grace Skinner

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Narrator and The School Mistress
Gay Hauser

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Featuring musicians from Symphony Nova Scotia:
Renaud Lapierre, violin
Jennifer Jones, violin
Susan Sayle, viola
Rachel Desoer, cello
Max Kasper, bass
Christine Feierabend, flute
Suzanne Lemieux, oboe
Eileen Walsh, clarinet
Gabe Azzie, bassoon
David Parker, horn
Michael Baker, percussion
Michael Lee, piano

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Film produced, directed, and edited by Andrew Coll
Audio recording, editing, and mixing by Rod Sneddon
Music editing by Jeff Reilly

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Made with the Generous Support of the Canadian Federation of Musicians, the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists, and the Canadian Media Producers Association.