Clara's Dream

“A perfect first Nutcracker for many generations …. A powerful and beautiful thing to behold.” Edmonton Journal

Edmonton, AB – Canada’s Ukrainian Shumka Dancers are thrilled to announce the return of Clara’s Dream, Edmonton’s Ukrainian Nutcracker. In celebration of the Christmas season, Clara’s Dream takes to the stage of the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium – December 29 & 30, 2015. (December 29 at 7:30pm; December 30 at 2pm & 7:30pm.) Tickets are available now at Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.ca or 1-855-985-5000).

Joining Shumka are guest artists from Edmonton's Citie Ballet and Viter Ukrainian Folk Choir, and Ukraine's Virsky and Kyiv Ballet companies. 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.

Ukrainian Christmas traditions and symbols are woven into the lavish sets and costumes of this full-length production. In addition, this Nutcracker is the first to incorporate a Ukrainian Christmas carol, a grand orchestral and choral version of Shchedryk (Carol of the Bells), arranged by renowned Ukrainian composer Yuri Shevchenko.

Based on E.T.A. Hoffman’s beloved tale The Nutcracker, set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic composition, Clara’s Dream begins when the young girl receives a Nutcracker doll from her godfather, Dr. Drosselmeier one Christmas Eve. As the clock in the Staulbaum home strikes midnight, the Nutcracker springs to life in a battle against the Mouse King. With Clara’s help, the Nutcracker and his battalion of toy soldiers defeat the Mouse King and his army, breaking a spell and returning the Nutcracker to his human form: a handsome prince. As a gesture of his gratitude, the prince takes Clara on a magical journey, where they meet a cast of unforgettable characters.

The key creative forces behind Clara’s Dream are Kyiv Ballet Resident Choreographer and long-time Shumka choreographer, Viktor Lytvynov; award winning set and costume designer Maria Levitska of the National Opera of Ukraine (Kyiv Ballet) and renowned Ukrainian composer Yuri Shevchenko. Clara’s Dream Creative Producer is Shumka alumnist Michael Sulyma. Artistic Consultants include former Shumka Artistic Director Dave Ganert, and Shumka Creative Director John Pichlyk. New choreographic elements for the 2015 production are being added by Citie Ballet Artistic Director Jorden Morris.

Clara’s Dream, Edmonton’s Ukrainian Nutcracker, runs December 29 & 30, 2015. Tickets start at $20, and are available via Ticketmaster. For more information about Clara’s Dream, please visit www.clarasdream.ca

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