Dance Victoria 2020-2021 VIRTUAL Season | Shumka's Nutcracker online program

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Virtual Home Season Bringing the World’s Best Dance to your home

Shumka’s Nutcracker

CANADA/UKRAINE

Featuring Canada’s Ukrainian Shumka Dancers with guests from Kyiv Ballet – National Opera of Ukraine, Ukraine’s Virsky Ukrainian National Folk Dance Ensemble, Citie Ballet, Viter Ukrainian Folk Choir, and Shumka School of Dance December 10–13, 2020 Running time: 1 hour, 33 minutes • Format: Full HD video

Photo: Gregg Ingram

DanceVictoria.com

Photo: Marc J. Chalifoux

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2020-21 Season (Virtual) Home Series

Dance Victoria brings the World’s Best Dance to the Royal Theatre and your home, and supports the development of new dance for the international stage from its studios in Quadra Village. Dance Victoria is a non-profit charitable society.

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Message from Ukrainian Shumka Dancers

Dance Victoria Board: President

Susan K.E. Howard

Vice President Robert Millar Treasurer

Emily Zeng

Directors

Colette Baty Frances Grunberg Stacey Horton

Staff: Executive Producer Stephen White General Manager Bernard Sauvé Operations Manager Shireen McNeilage Marketing Manager Tracy Smith Accounting Julie Collins Studios and Administrative Assistant Kiera Shaw Graphic Design Rayola Creative If you’d like to volunteer for Dance Victoria please visit DanceVictoria.com and complete the online volunteer form.

Studios and Office: 111 – 2750 Quadra Street Victoria, BC V8T 4E8 250-595-1829 DanceVictoria.com for trailers, tickets and more information Photo: Marc J. Chalifoux

Dance Victoria acknowledges the support of:

PUBLIC FUNDERS

Dept. of CDN Heritage

Dance Victoria wishes to thank its many donors and volunteers.

Dance Victoria’s Chrystal Dance Fund and Endowment Fund are held at Victoria Foundation. Dance Victoria is a proud member of the CanDance Network and the Greater Vancouver Alliance for Arts and Culture.

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Welcome to the elegance and enchantment of Shumka’s Nutcracker. The delightful story of young Clara, her dream prince, brave soldiers, and the meddling mice, is reimagined and proudly presented as a Ukrainian version of Tchaikovsky’s famous work. This unique blend of the grace and lyricism of classical movement with the strength and power of Ukrainian dance brings a special sense of energy and excitement to this Christmas classic.

Renowned artists of Citie Ballet, Virsky Dance Ensemble, Kyiv Ballet (National Opera of Ukraine), singers from the Viter Ukrainian Folk Choir, and young dancers from the Shumka School join Shumka to make up the talented cast of artists.

With over 95 cast and crew united together in this artistic collaboration, true magic comes to life on stage.

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Shumka’s Nutcracker has become a Christmas tradition in Edmonton and we couldn’t be happier to share this tradition in Victoria. We sincerely thank our funders, sponsors, donors and volunteers for helping make this a reality. And of course, we thank you, our audience, for making our Nutcracker part of your holiday plans.

May you and yours share a Christmas season full of love, hope, and peace. Enjoy Clara’s magical journey with us today and be sure to come back to the world of Shumka again and again!

— Ukrainian Shumka Dancers

2020-21 Season (Virtual) Home Series

About the Work Shumka’s Nutcracker Recorded: December 2017, Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, Edmonton Presenter: Ukrainian Shumka Dancers; Darka Tarnawsky, Executive Director Creative Producer: Michael H. Sulyma, Sulyma Productions Inc.; Kim Nahachewsky, General Manager, Sulyma Productions Inc. Production Artistic Director/Choreographer: Viktor Lytvynov Artistic Consultant / Snowflake Waltz, Hopak Choreographer / Choir & Mouse Children Staging: John Pichlyk Sugar Plum Fairy, Waltz of the Flowers Choreography / Spanish Staging: Jorden Morris Music: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Additional Music Arrangements: Yuri Shevchenko Set & Costume Design: Maria Levitska (National Opera of Ukraine) Lighting Design: Pierre Lavoie Musical Recording: The National Opera Orchestra of Ukraine Conductor, Oleg Riyabov Schedryk (Carol of the Bells) Musical Recording: Arrangement, Yuri Shevchenko; The Kyiv City Symphony – Conductor, Oleksiy Baklan Chief Sound Recording Engineer: Slavko Halatyn

FOR SHUMKA: Executive Director: Darka Tarnawsky Senior Creative Director: Leslie Sereda Creative Directors: Tasha Orysiuk, Paul Olijnyk Artistic Associate: Joseph Hoffman Technical Director: Jeff Osterlin Production Stage Manager: Joshua Semchuk Head Carpenter: Tianna Tolley McLean Audio Assistant: Misha Hlebnicov Video Creations/Projections: Andrew Scholotiuk Wardrobe: Trinity Chopyk, Joyce Howell Wardrobe Assistants: MaryAnn Baziuk, Shirley Borys, Pinky Eugenio, Marian Gauk, Ella Maciuk, Tanya Skitko, Cheryl Stachniak Properties: Stephen Romanow Transportation: Vlodko Tarnawsky Marketing & Media Coordination: Bottom Line Productions Inc. Video Production Services: Blue Toque Productions Graphic Design: Helen Adhikari Programs & Outreach Administrator: June Eeles Shumka School of Dance Principal: Peter Eeles DanceVictoria.com

Nutcracker Story Synopsis ACT I

ACT II

Our story takes place one magical Christmas Eve, as the Stahlbaum family busily finishes last minute preparations for a grand party. A tableau is presented and we see a Vertep, a Ukrainian puppet theatre, where Dr. Drosselmeier’s nephew entertains a group of children in the market. They are eagerly anticipating the Christmas Eve celebration about to take place.

As the children depart with their gifts, the Vertep reveals itself as a puppet workshop. The mysterious Dr. Drosselmeier is attending to his work.

Clara and the Prince journey to the magical fairytale kingdom.

Upon their arrival at his palace, they are entertained by his friends with a magnificent dance celebrating the Carol of the Bells.

An enchanting city streetscape sees the guests begin to arrive, dressed in their holiday finery. With a flourish of his great black cape, the mysterious Dr. Drosselmeier appears, greeting joyful Ukrainian carolers.

Dr. Drosselmeier’s arrival to the Stahlbaum party is magical. He brings a doll as a gift, which performs a delightful dance with the children. A Ukrainian marionette brings yet more joy to the young party guests. However, it is the Nutcracker doll, Drosselmeier’s gift to his goddaughter Clara, that wins her heart. Clara’s brother Fritz teases her by snatching the Nutcracker away from his sister. After some playtime, Drosselmeier urges them to be gentle with the Nutcracker doll before placing it beneath the Christmas tree. He beckons the carolers and their Christmas star.

Once inside, a magnificent Waltz of the Flowers greets them, and their welcome continues as dancers from faraway lands perform for the pair: an energetic Trepak, a merry Chinese trio, elegant Spanish dancers, a mysterious Arabian girl, a graceful Sugarplum Fairy, and a dazzling Hopak are presented in a most spectacular fashion. Soon, the Prince asks Clara to join him in a romantic and lyrical pas de deux.

Suddenly, Clara is back in her family’s parlour, cradling her Nutcracker doll. She sighs, realizing her wonderful journey was but a fantasy. Or was it? Dr. Drosselmeier later visits with his young nephew, who bears a striking resemblance to Clara’s beloved Prince….

After the guests leave the party, Clara sneaks back to the darkened parlour to check on her beloved Nutcracker. The clock chimes, striking midnight. As Clara peers into the darkness, she suddenly realizes she isn’t alone, as she is surrounded by an army of menacing mice.

A cannon blast downs a battalion of mice while the Nutcracker, now come to life, leads toy soldiers into battle. The fight rages on until the Mouse King corners the Nutcracker in a duel. Clara comes to the Nutcracker’s aid and defeats the Mouse King by pulling off his tail.

The spell broken, the Nutcracker transforms to a handsome Prince who declares his eternal gratitude to his young heroine, Clara. With the beauty of swirling snowflakes in the winter wonderland around them, the Prince whisks Clara away to his fantasy fairytale kingdom… far from the mischievous mice and Clara’s childhood home.

Photo: Ian Jackson, Epic Photography

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2020-21 Season (Virtual) Home Series

About Canada’s Ukrainian Shumka Dancers Established in Edmonton in 1959, the Ukrainian Shumka Dancers is Canada’s only professional Ukrainian dance company. Shumka presents dance-theatre touring productions, as well as intimate concert repertoire across the country and around the world. Seen by millions on international television broadcasts, the company has presented command performances for Queens, Prime Ministers, and Presidents, and have performed alongside the likes of Andrea Bocelli and Julie Andrews. Along with Alberta Ballet and Edmonton Opera, Shumka is honoured to be a resident company of the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium.

More than 60 years of performance history has shaped Shumka’s signature music and dance style. While maintaining deep respect for their heritage, Shumka continually challenges conventional boundaries to define the experience of Ukrainian dance in the context of today’s society. Shumka premiered two new works in as many years. Ancestors & Elders (2018) is a collaborative piece created with numerous local Indigenous artists. A critical and community success, one audience member called the production “far and away the best Truth and

Reconciliation-inspired project on stage this year.” Mosquito’s Wedding: All We Need Is Love (2019) was inspired by a traditional Ukrainian folk song. This family-focused dance theatre production features a number of insect characters from various “regions” of Ukraine. Along with a message of acceptance and diversity, Mosquito’s Wedding set a new path in the area of production for the company. Shumka is bringing Mosquito’s Wedding across Canada in 2021 as part of a 60th Anniversary Tour.

Part of Shumka’s mandate is the creation of a centre of excellence in dance education to prepare the next generation of dancers in the art form. The Shumka School of Dance trains over 250 young dancers using North America’s only syllabus for Ukrainian dance, in addition to contemporary movement and RAD ballet instruction. Shumka also offers Ukrainian dance and RAD-based fitness classes for seniors and adults. Shumka is based in the Shumka Dance Centre nestled between the Ice District and Brewery District of downtown Edmonton. For more information, visit shumka.com.

Photo: Ian Jackson, Epic Photography

Sharing Shumka’s Nutcracker With each season, Dance Victoria strives to bring the World’s Best Dance, presenting excellent professional dance and engaging the community in the experience and celebration of dance through a full spectrum of diverse voices and cultures.

Over the past few years we have presented works by Dancers of Damelahamid, Ballet Hispánico and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater to name a few. Ukrainian Shumka Dancers’ Nutcracker is an opportunity to celebrate Ukrainian customs and traditions through Shumka’s signature music and dance style. Reflective of its ethnic vitality, the production features ballet, folk dance, and character dance in a celebration of Tchaikovsky’s beloved Christmas classic. Shumka’s Nutcracker blends the grace and lyrical nature of classical movement with the strength and power of Ukrainian character dance, leaving audiences exhilarated and entertained.

Nutcracker Kids Sponsored by With the generous support of many donors, Dance Victoria is providing free Nutcracker tickets to the children of Victoria Women’s Transition House and Family Services of Greater Victoria. In 2019, 150 tickets were donated. In 2020, we hope to continue this tradition by offering free access to our complete online presentation package. Please visit our Nutcracker Kids web page to learn more. A big thank you to Julie Rust, a REALTOR® with Newport Realty. Julie has been Campaign Chair for Nutcracker Kids for three years. Thank you to everyone who joined Julie in making Christmas bright for lots of Nutcracker Kids!

Photo: Marc J. Chalifoux

DanceVictoria.com

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2020-21 Season (Virtual) Home Series

Shumka’s Nutcracker Cast Clara (Kyiv Ballet – National Opera of Ukraine) Tetyana Lozova Prince (Kyiv Ballet – National Opera of Ukraine) Yaroslav Tkachuk

Principals & Soloists Drosselmeier (Shumka): Joe Hoffman Fritz/Chinese (Shumka Alumnist): Jeffrey Mortensen Mr. Stahlbaum (Virsky): Viacheslav Ilinskyi Mrs. Stahlbaum (Citie Ballet): Kylee Hart Columbina/Trepak (Shumka): Kathleen Symborski Marionette (Shumka): Arlyssa McArthur Waltz of the Flowers (Citie Ballet): Audrey Boccara, Kylee Hart, Jinah Kim, Matthew Klippenstein, Mingyi Liang, Isabella Pisapia, Mitchell Przybilla, Lydia Redpath, Morgan Thiessen Trepak (Shumka): Marko Gauk, Brenden Kuzma, Michael V. Sulyma Spanish (Citie Ballet): Audrey Boccara, Kylee Hart, Jinah Kim, Matthew Klippenstein, Mingyi Liang, Isabella Pisapia, Mitchell Przybilla, Lydia Redpath, Morgan Thiessen Arabian (Shumka): Larissa Sulyma Sugar Plum Fairy (Citie Ballet): Kylee Hart

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Alyssa Eugenio Marko Gauk Braedon Hardern Joe Hoffman Maksym Kadziela Caitlin Kaminsky Katelyn Kuchta Brenden Kuzma Arlyssa McArthur Cierra McLean Nicolas Pacholok Mara Palahniuk Nicholas Pawluk Stefan Pawluk Lida Petriw Oleksa Petriw Zachary Petriw Diana Pidruchney Alexander Samoil Nicole Schimpf Jacob Skitsko Murray Steele Mitchell Stewart Larissa Sulyma Michael V. Sulyma Kathleen Symborski Laurelle Unger Nastassia Usenka Andrew Wolchuk Zachary Wynnyk Calynn Lirette Daria Podilsky Danica Skitsko

Guest Artist Jeffrey Mortensen, Shumka Alumnist

Artists of Kyiv Ballet – National Opera of Ukraine – Kyiv Tetyana Lozova Yaroslav Tkachuk

Artists of Virsky – Ukraine’s State Folk Dance Company - Kyiv Kostiantyn Frolov Viacheslav Ilinskyi Maksym Karpenko Denys Turchak

Artists of Citie Ballet – Edmonton Audrey Boccara Kylee Hart Matthew Klippenstein Jinah Kim Mingyi Liang Isabella Pisapia Mitchell Przbilla Lydia Redpath Morgan Thiessen

Artists of Canada’s Ukrainian Shumka Dancers – Edmonton Deeyana Baydala Markiana Baziuk Jessica Bell Ryan Beztilny Matthew Borys Annalise Chwok Annikka Dobko Nicholas Doblanko Tesia Doblanko

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Artists of Viter Ukrainian Folk Choir – Edmonton Tim Baydala Christina Csernyanski Carla Hudyma Slavko Nohas Greg Pacholok Mitchell Palahniuk Katrusia Pohoreski Larissa Pohoreski Lesia Pohoreski Vlodko Tarnawsky

Dancers of the Shumka School of Dance – Edmonton Katelyn August Susanna Davtyan Talia Ferdycz Emma Hunter Lucinda Huska Eva Hyshka Joanne Jerebic Nicholas Jerebic Elias Marantz Tamara Nohas Chase Senko Cowan Senko Joseph Senko Kyra Simpson Ellie Starko Nora Stepnisky-Meagher Genevieve Zakordonski Violet Zakordonski Katie Chilton

2020-21 Season (Virtual) Home Series

Sell your home. Support Dance Victoria.

Choose a DFH realtor below and mention Dance Victoria when you buy or sell your property. Ten percent of the realtor’s commission helps bring the World’s Best Dance to our community.

Maureen Vincent

Rosemary Tulett

maureenvincent68@gmail.com 250-656-0131

homes@rosemarytulett.com 250-477-7291

John Melvin

Dorothee Friese

john@johnmelvinproperties.ca 250-477-7291

dorothee@shaw.ca 250-477-7291

Terry Moore tlmoore@shaw.ca 250-477-7291

Peter Crichton crichton@islandnet.com 250-477-7291

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2020-21 Season (Virtual) Home Series