The Goh Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker at the Vancouver Opera House proved to be an enchanting holiday experience that truly deserves its reputation as a treasured tradition. Now celebrating its 15th year, this production brings together exceptional talent from around the world to create something genuinely special for Vancouver audiences.
As part of the Message from the Executive Producer, Chan Hon Goh, she says, “This production has become a cherished tradition for our city, a place where grace, imagination and shared anticipation bring our community together in celebration. Each season is a reminder of how the arts uplift us and reflect the finest qualities of our collective heart.”
International Excellence on a Local Stage
This year’s production featured three outstanding guest artists from the National Ballet of China. Shen Lexuan brought grace and strength to the Nutcracker Prince, while Tan Jinze was captivating as the Snow King—one of my personal favorites. Wang Yiren complemented him beautifully as the Snow Queen. All three are graduates of China’s prestigious ballet training programs and their technical precision was evident throughout.
The Principal Guest Artist, Adonis Daukaev from Ukraine, delivered a memorable performance as the mysterious Drosselmeyer. His impressive background as Principal Dancer and House Choreographer at Pfalztheater Kaiserslautern brings authentic European ballet tradition to the production. The young leads—Irene Cheliubeeva as Clara and River Willis as Fritz—were delightful, with Cheliubeeva carrying much of the emotional weight of the story with charm and believability.
Other dates will feature Elena Banares as Clara and Arthur Mohan-Barnes as Fritz. The dancing bear played by Joseph Lee earned laughter and applause, yet he will be replaced by Owen Tang on December 19th and 20th. The Open Auditions for Goh Ballet’s the Nutcracker will be held on April 26, 2028. Dancers ages 6 to professional are invited to audition for select roles to shape the 2026 season of this classic.
A Dream Come to Life
The story begins at the Stahlbaum family’s Christmas party, where young Clara receives a nutcracker doll from the enigmatic Drosselmeyer. While this opening scene felt slightly long for me, once Clara falls asleep cradling her nutcracker, the magic truly begins. What follows is a fantastical dream filled with sword fights against the Mouse King and his army of rats, the transformation of the Nutcracker into a handsome Prince, and a breathtaking journey through the Land of Snow to the Kingdom of Sweets.
The production features interactive elements that delighted the audience—large rats scampering up and down the theater stairs, creating genuine squeals and laughter throughout the crowd. This playful approach makes the ballet accessible and entertaining for all ages. There was also glittering “snow” that fell from the rafters into the crowd.
Standout Moments
If I could highlight just one scene, it would be the Land of Snow sequence. The dancing snowflakes created an ethereal, mesmerizing atmosphere that embodied everything magical about ballet. The Snow Queen and Snow King (Tan Jinze and Wang Yiren) were clear crowd favorites, earning multiple rounds of applause.
The young performers—some as young as six years old—were absolutely endearing as various creatures throughout the production. And I must give special praise to the BonBons who emerged from under Mere Gigogne’s enormous skirt (played by Christopher Hunte). Their acrobatic prowess—executing flips, cartwheels, and even one-handed cartwheels in synchronized pairs—would make professional gymnasts envious.
Maude Sabourin was exquisite as the Sugar Plum Fairy, dancing the iconic pas de deux with her Cavalier Prince (Felixovich Morante) with elegance and precision. The Vancouver Opera Orchestra, under conductor Leslie Dala’s guidance, provided a rich, dynamic musical foundation that elevated every scene. Sabourin is the Principal Dancer of the Les Grands Ballets Canadiens from Montreal. Morante is also a Demi-soloist for Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, who was born in Lima, Peru.
A Production Worth Seeing Again
With over 200 performers contributing to this massive production, there’s simply too much happening to absorb in one viewing. The choreography is intricate and thoughtful, with details that reward repeat visits. The audience clearly agreed—laughter and applause erupted constantly, sometimes two or three times within a single scene.
The theater enhanced the festive atmosphere with photo opportunities in the lobby, complete with staff photographers and bag holders. Many young audience members came dressed in their holiday finest, adding to the magical ambiance.
The Nutcracker’s Global Journey
One thing I discovered is why The Nutcracker characters have German names in this Russian ballet performed by International dancers in Canada—this actually reflects the ballet’s fascinating international heritage. While the music is by Russian composer Tchaikovsky and the choreography draws from Russian ballet tradition, the original story comes from E.T.A. Hoffmann’s German tale “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King,” set in Germany. This is why the family has German names like Stahlbaum. The ballet has become a truly global phenomenon, performed and reinterpreted by companies worldwide—a testament to its universal appeal.
The Nutcracker is extremely popular in German-speaking countries, including Austria, Germany, and Switzerland, where it’s performed by major ballet companies during the Christmas season. Productions there might emphasize different aspects of the German cultural setting or incorporate regional traditions, but the core story remains the same. European productions often feature more classical, traditional interpretations compared to some North American versions that may include more interactive or contemporary elements like Goh Ballet’s audience engagement.
Final Thoughts
This production is a wonderful holiday tradition for good reason. Whether you’re a ballet aficionado or a first-time attendee, whether you’re six or sixty, there’s something magical here for everyone. The combination of world-class talent, spectacular choreography, beautiful costumes, and an orchestra playing Tchaikovsky’s beloved score creates an unforgettable evening.
I highly recommend experiencing Goh Ballet’s Nutcracker for yourself. It’s the kind of production that reminds you why this ballet has endured as a holiday tradition for generations—and why it will continue to enchant audiences for many years to come.
Some interesting sponsors are the MONTECRISTO Magzine, Oakridge Park and the St. George’s School.
Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5/5 stars)
Get Your Tickets: For the 2025 season, tickets are available through the official Goh Ballet website at www.gohnutcracker.com or through Ticketmaster.ca. Discounts are available for seniors (65+) and children (0-12 years old), and group rates are offered for parties of 20 or more by contacting Nutcracker@GohBallet.com Goh NutcrackerGoh Nutcracker
Note: Cast members may vary by performance date, with the exception of principal dancers and some adult roles.
TAGS: GohBalletNutcracker #VancouverBallet #NutcrackerBallet #HolidayTradition #VancouverArts #BalletMagic #WestcoastGermanNews #ElkePorter #BalletReview
Interesting Note: from Business in Vancouver Magazine Article: https://www.biv.com/news/vancouvers-goh-ballet-proposes-25-storey-tower-with-315-student-suites-11092616
“The Goh Ballet has submitted a rezoning application to the City of Vancouver to expand its operations in Mount Pleasant by building a 25-storey tower that would include 315 dormitory-style apartments for students.
The design of the project incorporates the 1912 heritage building at East Eighth Avenue and Main Street that the Goh family purchased in 1984. The two-storey landmark building was originally used by the Royal Bank of Canada.
But Chan Hon Goh, general and artistic director of the Goh Ballet Academy and Youth Company Canada, said expansion is needed to accommodate more performance space, students and seismically upgrade the heritage building.“
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