About
Act I: 49 mins | Intermission: 20 mins | Act II: 46 mins | Total: 2 hours (approximate)
ACT I
One chilly winter evening, Herr Stahlbaum and his wife are hosting a Christmas Party. Their children, Clara and Fritz, welcome the guests. With great anticipation, the children receive presents when suddenly, the mysterious Dr. Drosselmeyer arrives. He entertains the children with his magical tricks and wind-up dolls. Dr. Drosselmeyer reveals a special gift for Clara – a wooden Nutcracker that becomes the hit of the party. In a jealous fit, Fritz breaks it. Clara is heartbroken, looking on as Dr. Drosselmeyer quickly repairs it. As the evening grows late and the guests leave, the Stahlbaums retire for the night. Clara, worried about her beloved Nutcracker, sneaks back to the tree to check on him, falling asleep with him in her arms. The clock strikes midnight, and suddenly the room fills with giant mice who attack Clara. Life-size toy soldiers, led by her valiant Nutcracker, come to her rescue. The Mouse King corners the Nutcracker and battles him one-on-one. Clara makes a final daring charge, throwing her slipper at the Mouse King, hitting him square in the head. The Nutcracker gallantly waves his sword and conquers the Mouse King. At this very moment, the Nutcracker is transformed into a handsome prince. The Nutcracker Prince takes Clara on a journey into the Land of Snow, an enchanted forest wonderland. They are welcomed by the Snow Queen and the Snow King, and the dancing Snowflakes. The Nutcracker Prince then escorts Clara to the Kingdom of Sweets in a glistening sleigh.
ACT II
Clara and her Nutcracker Prince continue their journey across the Lemonade Sea. When they finally arrive in the Kingdom of Sweets, delectable treats are waiting for them. They are then greeted by the Sugar Plum Fairy and, in Clara’s honour, the inhabitants of her kingdom entertain them during a feast: chocolate, a Spanish Dance; coffee, an Arabian Dance; tea, a Chinese Dance; and the dance of the Marzipan. Clara is also entertained by the peppermints, a Russian Dance; a dance with Mere Gigogne and her Bonbons, as well as the “Valse Des Fleurs”, a splendid waltz of the flowers. Then, the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Cavalier Prince dance a grand pas de deux. Soon after, Clara says goodbye to the Kingdom of Sweets when awakened by her mother. To her surprise, she is back in her house. Has this wonderful journey been but a dream?
Goh All the Way — A Nutcracker Like No Other
Make your holiday outing unforgettable with the Goh Ballet Nutcracker VIP Experience.
- Be greeted by the grand Mother Ginger at the exclusive Oakridge Park VIP Lounge, where you’ll enjoy a pre-show and intermission reception.
- Sip on your choice of premium beverages — including wine, cocktails, and festive refreshments.
- Mingle with cast members, pose for keepsake photos, and soak in the elegant atmosphere.
- Enjoy premier orchestra seating for the show.
- Receive a collectible program, a limited-edition autographed show card, and a specially curated gift bag.
- After the curtain falls, experience the magic up close with a guided backstage tour and meet-and-greet on stage.
A unique holiday treat that includes one-of-a-kind keepsakes and personal touches — with limited availability.
Where the Magic Begins — Even Before the Curtain Rises
Your Nutcracker experience starts the moment you step into the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Every detail in the lobby is thoughtfully designed to enrich your visit — and all activities are complimentary with your ticket.
Live Choir Performances
Soak in the festive spirit with the soaring voices of The Nutcracker Choir. Their seasonal melodies set the tone for a night of celebration.
Dance with The Nutcracker Characters
Young dancers ages 4 to 7 will have the incredible opportunity to dance with their favourite characters from The Nutcracker – before seeing them perform on stage! Featuring props and music from the show, dancers will enact magical moments from the beloved ballet: from tippy-toe runs amongst the mischievous mice to glistening gallops through the Land of the Sweets.
It’s Your Turn to Dance with Celebrated Nutcracker Characters! Join this interactive pre-show ballet experience led by a member of Goh Ballet’s award-winning faculty and beloved characters from the production. All pre-show classes are complimentary to ticketholders! No previous dance experience is necessary.
Please note you must hold a valid ticket for Goh Ballet’s The Nutcracker, from December 18-21, 2025 to participate in this event.
Dazzling Photo Ops
Enter the storybook! Take memorable photos in the Snow Queen’s sleigh, under the Sugar Plum Fairy’s canopy, or beside hand-painted vignettes of the Land of Sweets and Kingdom of Snow — perfect for sharing or treasuring.
The Nutcracker Boutique
Find the perfect keepsake at our curated boutique, including:
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- Classic Nutcracker ornaments and books
- Autographed pointe shoes from the ballerinas of the show
- Exclusive jewellery in sterling silver and gold, created for the production by Lao Feng Xiang
The lobby is an extension of the magic — inviting you into the world of The Nutcracker before the show even begins.
A Company of 200+ Performers, United in Dance
This year’s Nutcracker brings together more than 200 performers, ranging in age from 6 to 77, for a vibrant celebration of artistry and community. The cast includes international stars and talented dancers from 26 dance organizations across British Columbia.
Highlights include:
- Party Children
- Ballroom Couples
- Soldiers
- Little Mice
- Snowflakes
- Lambs
- Dragonflies
- Polichinelles
- Cha Tea dancers
- Chocolate Besos
- Waltz of the Flowers
Many performers appear in multiple roles across performances. The result is a dynamic, ever-evolving celebration of dedication and heart.
Every Step Counts — Rehearsals, Pointe Shoes & Precision
Bringing The Nutcracker to life is a monumental feat requiring skill, stamina, and passion.
- Rehearsals begin in mid-September, following spring auditions and early fall casting
- Over 445 hours of combined rehearsal
- Senior dancers use 15–20 pairs of pointe shoes throughout the season
- Each pointe shoe is individually sewn, fitted, and customized
- The youngest performers — the Little Mice — tackle one of the most complex rhythmic sequences relative to their age, inspired by the iconic Four Little Swans from Swan Lake
Every dancer — from the youngest lamb to the principal artist — plays a vital part in this extraordinary production.
A Global Cast with Local Roots
The Nutcracker brings together dancers from many countries, including Canada, the U.S., China, Japan, Brazil, Panama, Singapore, England, and Poland.
Principal guests have hailed from many distinguished companies. Past luminaries include:
- Tiler Peck
- Frances Chung
- Paloma Herrera
- Sonia Rodriguez
- Cory Stearns
- Ulrik Birkkjaer
- José Manuel Carreño
- Svetlana Lunkina
- And many more
“Among talented ballet kids and the world’s most well-behaved mice, I had the honour of playing Sugarplum Fairy in Goh Ballet’s production of Nutcracker. Santa couldn’t have given me a better Christmas present that year.”
