The Nutcracker
ft. Cy Doherty and Elisabeth Beyer
Meridian Hall, Toronto
December 23, 2023
The Nutcracker
Meridian Hall, Toronto
Saturday, December 23, 2023
Heartfelt Thanks from Toronto International Ballet Theatre
As we reflect on the memorable performance of ‘The Nutcracker’ at the Toronto International Ballet Theatre, we are filled with immense gratitude. Our heartfelt thanks go to the incredible dancers, led by Elisabeth Beyer and Cy Doherty, whose dedication and talent brought this classic tale to life. We extend our appreciation to our generous sponsors for their unwavering support. A special thank you to our crew, volunteers, and everyone behind the scenes for their tireless efforts. And to our audience, your presence and enthusiasm made this event truly magical. Your support inspires us to continue bringing exceptional ballet to our community. Thank you!
Highlights of this year's performance:
Elisabeth Beyer
Elisabeth Beyer, a distinguished member of the American Ballet Theatre, is renowned in the ballet world for her extraordinary technique and compelling artistry. Born in New York City, she embarked on her ballet journey at the age of 7 with the Greenwich Ballet Academy, and by 13, she was honing her skills at the Ellison Ballet Professional Training Program under Edward Ellison and Jolanta Valeikaite.
In 2020, at just 17, Elisabeth joined the ABT Studio Company, and by June 2023, she had advanced to the corps de ballet of the American Ballet Theatre, participating in their 2023 MET Spring and David H. Koch Fall Seasons.
Elisabeth’s talent has been recognized with several prestigious awards. She won the Gold Medal in the Junior Division at the USA IBC XI in 2018 and in the Senior Division at the Youth America Grand Prix Finals the same year, where she performed at the David Koch Theater, Lincoln Center. In 2017, she claimed the First Prize at the Moscow International Ballet Competition XIII, showcasing her skills on the historic stage of the Bolshoi Theatre and earning the Natalia Makarova Award for Artistry at the YAGP NYC Finals.
Her performances extend to galas and guest appearances worldwide, including the Nervi Festival 2022, Dance Against Cancer events, YAGP Galas, Kaatsbaan Summer Festival, and the Marius Petipa 200th Anniversary Gala in Paris. Elisabeth has also been the recipient of scholarship awards from several prestigious ballet schools globally, including American Ballet Theater, Houston Ballet, San Francisco Ballet School, Berlin State Ballet Schooll, Princess Grace Academy, and the Royal Ballet School, reflecting her status as a ballet artist of international acclaim.
Cy Doherty
Cy Doherty began his formal training in Cary, North Carolina. At 16, he moved to The Harid Conservatory and trained under Meelis Pakri. While there, he danced lead roles and received the Rudolf Nureyev Award, the inaugural Marcelo Gomes Scholarship, and was a two-time winner of the Fred Lieberman Award. After earning Top 12 in the Youth America Grand Prix NYC Finals, Doherty was offered a position with Ballet West II, where he performed lead roles. He also performed in Ballet West company productions of George Balanchine’s Jewels, Frederick Ashton’s Cinderella, and Adam Sklute’s Swan Lake.
Doherty joined American Ballet Theatre Studio Company in September 2019, became an apprentice with the main Company in November 2021, and joined the corps de ballet in September 2022. His repertoire includes Don Quixote in Don Quixote, von Rothbart (Lakeside) in Swan Lake, and a featured role in Children’s Songs Dance, as well as roles in all the Company’s full-length ballets.
Spectacular Leads: Joy Womack and Alexis Tiutiunnyk lit up the stage with their breathtaking performances, bringing unparalleled artistry, grace, and emotion to this year’s The Nutcracker. Womack’s elegance and Tiutiunnyk’s commanding presence created a magical partnership that captivated every audience member.
Visionary Direction: Under Tatiana Stepanova’s artistic leadership, The Nutcracker became more than a performance—it was a masterpiece. Her dedication and passion transformed the production into an unforgettable journey of beauty and wonder.
Three Sold-Out Shows! A heartfelt thank you to our incredible audiences for making this Nutcracker season truly special. Your energy and enthusiasm filled the historic Bluma Appel Theatre, creating an intimate and electric atmosphere for all three sold-out performances.
A Global Celebration of Talent: This year’s production brought together an extraordinary ensemble of international stars and talented local dancers, showcasing the diversity and unity of the global ballet community right here in Toronto.
To everyone who joined us, thank you for being part of the magic. Here’s to celebrating the joy of the season together—we can’t wait to see you next year! 🎄
“The best Nutcracker on the planet.” – The Globe and Mail
“The Nutcracker: nothing short of spectacular!” – National Post
“★★★★★/5 A Christmas gift for everyone… a feast for the senses, filled with enough wonder that there is something certain to delight audiences of any age and any taste.” – Toronto Sun
“The ballet spectacle that never fails to delight young and old alike!” – 680 News
Reviews
Our Nutcracker Story
In TIBT’s rendition of “The Nutcracker,” the story centers around Clara, a young girl with a vivid imagination and a deep affection for her Christmas gift – a Nutcracker doll from her Uncle. As she falls asleep beside the Christmas tree, cradling the doll, her world transforms through her uncle’s mysterious spell. Clara finds herself on a transformative journey, maturing into a young woman as her beloved Nutcracker becomes a gallant prince. Their love propels them through a mesmerizing winter wonderland and the enchanting Castle of Sweets. This rendition is a portrayal of innocent, childlike love, capturing the essence of a young girl’s dream of her ideal prince.
Key Highlights of the Story:
- Mystical Gift: Clara’s Nutcracker doll, a gift that comes to life, setting the stage for the night’s magic.
- Heroic Battle: The Nutcracker Prince battles the fearsome Mouse King in a thrilling encounter to protect Clara.
- Enchanted Realms: The duo travels to the whimsical Land of Sweets, where they are greeted with a celebration of dances.
- Cultural Tribute: Each dance in the Land of Sweets represents a corner of the world, showcasing the holiday’s universal joy.
- Love’s Awakening: Amidst the wonder, Clara’s journey with the Prince blossoms into a tender love story, leaving her to wonder if it was all a dream.
