It will be a family affair when the Royal City Youth Ballet’s Nutcracker takes to the stage at Massey Theatre next Monday.
The 27th annual production is onstage Dec. 21 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., bringing to life the classic Christmas story with extravagant costumes and sets and a cast of young dancers who travel around the province with the show.
New Westminster dancers who are featured in the show include the Schwartz family, who will be performing together. Daughters Emily, 17, Megan, 15, and Julia, 12, have been part of the Nutcracker since 2006. Parents Alex and Anita joined the Nutcracker family in 2007 and are part of the cast in the party scene. In 2009, when their son, Nicholas, was born, he joined the cast too – and since then, all six Schwartzes have been part of the show together.
“They have really enjoyed being a part of this wonderful production,” a press release says. “Since their daughters are all so involved in dance, Alex and Anita really treasure this chance to spend time with their girls during the busy Nutcracker season and value their time spent together as a family.”
Another featured New Westminster dancer is Madison Stocker, who’s featured as the Sugar Plum Fairy. She first joined the Nutcracker cast at age six, when she appeared as baby mouse and reindeer, and throughout her 10 seasons in the cast she’s performed many roles including Clara, Snow Princess, Arabian soloist, Chinese dancer and Snow Queen.
Nutcracker tickets are available through ticketsnw.ca or by calling 604-521-5050. See www.royalcityyouthballet.org for more information.
