Nutcracker Celebrates 20th Anniversary

Our Magical Holiday Tradition premiered in 1991

When Judy Russell and the Prince George Symphony Orchestra presented the Nutcracker for the first time in 1991 it became an instant classic. Now celebrating it’s 20th anniversary performance, The Nutcracker has become a bona fide Prince George holiday tradition that magically appears every two years.

“If someone had told me in 1991 that we’d still be doing this in 2011, I wouldn’t have believed them,” says Judy Russell, producer and choreographer of The Nutcracker. “It’s been a real joy every year, and the kids are great.”

As has been the case for all the other shows, this year’s Nutcracker gives young performers a chance to grow as artists and take on new challenges, often propelling them into professional careers.

“We have a number of dancers who are really stepping up this year,” says Russell, “particularly Tristan Ghostkeeper who plays the Nutcracker Prince, and Ashley Bradley and Kyra Sinclair who share the role of Clara.”

And the show has a number of dancers who are stepping back in as well. Joining the rest of the cast are six people who were on stage in the 1991 production including Chris Larsen, the original Prince, who takes on the role of Snow King, and Andrew Russell who inherits the role of Drosselmeyer from his father Bill.

Leading the Prince George Symphony Orchestra to bring Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s beautiful music to life is another outstanding artist with his roots in Prince George. Kevin Zakresky is the PGSO’s guest conductor, and is hailed as one of North America’s “rising star conductors” by Vancouver Sun critic David Gordon Duck. “Kevin is just great to work with,” says Russell. “We’ve know each other a long time. I’ve watched him grow up and mature and move on to do some great things.”

“We’ve been partnering with the orchestra since the beginning, and the PGSO brings a lot to this co-production,” says Russell. “They go all-out in putting together the orchestra, and the musicians are great and really enjoy being part of this spectacle. As an audience member, you experience a tremendous feeling when the dancing, lights, costumes and powerful music all come together. It still gets me every time.”

The 20th Anniversary Performance of Judy Russell’s Nutcracker with the PGSO runs December 16 to December 18 with five shows: Friday, Saturday and Sunday night at 7:30 pm, and Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:00 pm. Reserved seats are $22 to $32 plus taxes and fees at Studio 2880. Phone 250-563-2880 for more information.