The Nutcracker, choreographed by James Kudelka for the National Ballet of Canada, celebrates 30 magical years! The holiday favourite has captivated Toronto audiences since 1995 and is a cherished tradition for many. The adventure begins at a Christmas Eve party in a 19th-century barn and introduces siblings Marie and Misha to delights beyond their wildest dreams, from magical creatures to savoury treats and the glittering land of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Set to Tchaikovsky’s famous score and featuring magnificent sets and costumes, The Nutcracker is an unforgettable tribute to the imagination.

Fast Facts:

• James Kudelka’s The Nutcracker celebrates its 30th anniversary this season. The beloved production had its world premiere on December 21, 1995, with Martine Lamy and Rex Harrington dancing the Sugar Plum Fairy and Peter/The Nutcracker. It was an immediate success with critics and audiences alike, being hailed ‘the best Nutcracker on the planet’ by The Globe and Mail.

• Since its premiere in 1995, The Nutcracker has become a holiday tradition for generations of Torontonians with over 1.3 million people attending 689 performances.

• Marius Petipa choreographed the original ballet in 1892 based on E.T.A. Hoffmann’s story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. In his version, Kudelka changes the adventure of a solitary child to a sister and brother duo, Marie and Misha.

• Kudelka grew up on a farm in Newmarket, Ontario. In his Nutcracker, the opening family scene takes place in a barn, rather than the formal living room of many other productions. His version is also full of animals, from the tiniest Mice and Lambs to a dancing Horse and Unicorns. It even features a Bear on roller blades!

• For his production, Kudelka created the cameo roles of Cannon Dolls. Over the past 30 years, these roles have been filled by numerous illustrious celebrities including Margaret Atwood, Chris Hadfield, Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, Kyle Lowry, the Arkells and Summer MacIntosh.

• In its 30-year history, not one performance of The Nutcracker has been cancelled due to snow!

The Nutcracker

Choreographed by James Kudelka

Music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

December 5 – 31, 2025

Four Seasons Centre

2h with one intermission

For tickets visit national.ballet.ca

Photo: Calley Skalnik and Noya Ebe. © 2024 Karolina Kuras.