Seasonal ballet kicks off Saturday

No theatrical production captures the essence of Christmas, its sense of magic and enchantment, like the timeless tale The Nutcracker.

This symbol of the festive season will be presented by Ballet Ouest Saturday and Sunday in Salle Pierre-Mercure at the Pierre Peladeau Centre in Montreal.

Over 100 dancers of all ages will take to the stage in the annual journey into the surreal, which has been seen by over 165,000 Quebecers since this sophisticated adaptation was first mounted 25 years ago. “About 45,000 students from more than 50 schools from the West Island, Montreal, and beyond will also see the shows Dec. 3 to 5, which usually sell out by the end of October,” said Margaret Mehuys, founder and artistic director of the professional ballet company, which is based in Pointe Claire. “Our commitment is to create new audiences, and give children especially an opportunity to see a live cultural event, while exposing them to the ballet and the music of Tchaikovsky. We want to get the word out that it’s an art form for everybody; we don’t want it to be elite,” she said, adding “that’s why the board fights so hard to keep ticket prices low. Most theatrical presentations of this calibre can cost up to $100. “Everyone is worried about the economy in these tough times, and the arts have to play their part.”

It’s a high quality production, with a succession of set changes and hundreds of elaborate costumes, many of which are new for the snow scene designed by Marie St-Amour. “We also have a lot of dancers from different places this year – Ottawa, Vancouver, the U.S., Costa Rica, and Mexico. While a lot of people behind the scenes have been involved for many years, we have a turnover when it comes to the dancers, as the most accomplished ones often leave Montreal to work elsewhere,” Mehuys explained. In addition to the Montreal shows, the ballet will be performed in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu and Granby. “We’re also opening the Dec. 3 school matinee to the public for the second year at a greatly reduced price.”

Ballet Ouest’s The Nutcracker will be presented Dec. 6 at 2 and 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 7 at 2 p.m. at 300 de Maisonneuve Blvd. E. The cost is $30 for adults; $25 for children, students, and seniors. Tickets for the school matinee at 12:30 on the 3rd are $12. The box office can be reached at 514-987-6919.