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Phillip Payne and Christina Graziano dance in the roles of Loons in Ballet Jörgen’s Group of Seven Nutcracker, to be performed Dec. 28 at the Centre In The Square.

Tom Thomson came paddling by. Then stayed around to watch the ballet in which the images of the Group of Seven create the mood. Call it a distinctly Canadian feel to the classic story of The Nutcracker.
Set against the world-famous images of the rural north, Ballet Jörgen Canada’s Group of Seven Nutcracker puts a twist on the traditional Christmas favourite.
Choreographed by Bengt Jörgen to Tchaikovsky’s familiar score, this distinctly Canuck adaptation evolved from a collaboration with the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, which has allowed three of the great 20th century Canadian landscape artists to be featured: Franklin Carmichael (Church and Houses at Bisset, 1931), Tom Thomson (Snow in the Woods, 1916) and L.L. FitzGerald (Trees and Wildflowers, 1922).
In addition to the traditional Nutcracker characters, this version has added loons, birches, dragonflies, beavers and squirrels, among others.
“It’s a Northern Ontario feel to a very traditional ballet,” said Katharine Garrett, who dances several parts in this ballet, including the role of Grandmother in the first act, a fox or a Mountie in the battle scene, a flower and a snowflake.
Having taken part in many productions of The Nutcracker – a ballet staple and a longstanding Christmas essential – she was more than happy to take on the altered version that will make its way to Kitchener’s Centre In The Square Dec. 28.
“It’s nice to have a new story – something fresh. What’s been really lovely has been speaking with audiences, who’ve been thrilled with the Canadian setting,” she said in a telephone interview this week.
“Everyone has been in awe of this Nutcracker.”
Taking place in Northern Ontario rather than Germany, and featuring several new characters and associated dances, the Group of Seven Nutcracker retains the familiar storyline and, of course, the timeless musical score. It still involves a little girl named Klara and a nutcracker doll. Klara has come to Canada and is attending her first party here, set in a school rather than a home, as in the original.
The ballet’s second act is noted for its celebration of dances (various nationalities in the original). The Group of Seven Nutcracker follows this tradition, but places the second act in a Canadian summer setting with trillium flowers, raccoons, loons, dragonflies, bears, Mother Spruce, and a grand pas de deux danced by the King and Queen Birch.
“It’s been fun learning these new Nutcracker roles, taking on the creature that you’re portraying,” said Garrett.
Family fare, this performance is certainly aimed at children – it’s often the first ballet experience for many in the audience. Ballet Jörgen also offers young dancers a chance to take part in the presentation. This year, students from dance schools in the Kitchener-Waterloo area have been selected to join the professional cast for the local performances or to tour with the company.
These students were selected at the September auditions from a group of 65 children ranging from eight to 18 years of age.
The Group of Seven Nutcracker dances on stage for two performances Dec. 28 (2 and 7:30 p.m.) at the Centre in the Square. Tickets are $33-$53 for adults, $21-$29 for children, available from the box office by calling 578-1570 or online at www.centre-square.com.