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The schools directors Amanda and Frank Bayliss point out that this production is true to the orig- inal Russian production in the late 19th century. Its a very children friendly bal- let, said Frank, the schools administrative director. Unlike the newer versions that other ballet companies perform, it is really a traditional childrens bal- let. Some 120 of the schools stu- dents, aged 8-18, are performing in the Oakville presentation. There are several casts with the groups rotating for the nine upcoming performances. The first showing is tonight (Friday) at 7:30 p.m. Joining the students on stage is Etienne Lavigne, a first soloist with the National Ballet of Canada. He performs both at the Oakville pres- entation and at the National Ballets presentation in Toronto, which starts after the Oakville show closes. He has been perform- ing at the Oakville Nutcracker for about eight years. The Bayliss said that in order to put on the caliber of show they want they need a pro- fessional dancer for the role of the prince. Its a very professional show, very authentic, very true to the period, Frank said. Choreography is original as is the Tchaikovsky music. Youre going to get the old E.T.A. Hoffmann story. He added that the set and the costumes are also true to the 19th century period. The costumes are vibrant and beautiful and period, Frank said. The men in the party scene are not wearing modern tuxedos. Theyre wearing period costumes that we rent from a costumer. Following opening night, the shows continues on Saturday and Sunday (Nov. 27-28) at 1 and 5 p.m. then continues the following weekend (Dec. 4-5) with 1 and 5 p.m. showings on both Saturday and Sunday again. The score to The Nutcracker ballet was written by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. It was an adaptation of the story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King by Hoffmann. Tickets are $29.99 and are avail- able at www.oakvillecentre.ca. OAKVILLE CENTRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS TUES, DECEMBER 21, 2010 2 SHOWS! 3:00 & 7:30PM TICKETS $50, Seniors $45 ORDER ONLINE WWW.OAKVILLECENTRE.CA OR CALL 1-888-489-7784 www.johnmcdermott.com IN SUPPORT OF McDERMOTT HOUSE CANADA www.johnmcdermott.com/mhc CHRISTMAS MEMORIES JOHN McDERMOTT & FRIENDS with special guests DAN HILL and ROSIE MACKENZIE w w w . o a kv ill eb ea ve r.c o m O A KV IL LE B EA V ER Fr id ay , N ov em be r 2 6, 2 01 0 3 2 Theatr e Sheridan present s by Lisa Lambert, Don McKellar, Bob Martin and Greg Morrison Nov. 30 to Dec. 11 Box Office: 905 815-4049 Reserve online: sheridaninstitute.ca Continued from page 31 Child friendly ballet true to Tchaikovsky original Unlike the newer versions that other ballet companies perform, it is really a traditional childrens ballet. Frank Bayliss, administrative director, Oakville Ballet TIP TOEING ALONG: Pictured are the dancers from the Oakville School of Dance in last years production of The Nutcracker, which returns to the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts with tonights opening act. PHOTO BY DAVID HOU / SUPPLIED Need a laugh? How bout some improv? Oakvilles Bad Dog Theatre Company is holding its improvisational humour Comedy Jam at the Moonshine Cafn Sunday, Nov. 28. The program will feature two shows, the first at 7 p.m., which is teens and up, and the second at 8:30 p.m., which is adults only. Performers will include Alice Moran, Gary Pearson, Alistair Forbes, Cameron Wylie, Molly Davis, Jerry Schaefer and oth- ers. Tickets are $5 per show and are available at the door. The cafs located at 137 Kerr St. Furthermore, in the spirit of holiday gift giving, the company is hosting a free all-ages improv workshop on Saturday, Dec. 11. The workshop will take place at Central Baptist Church, 340 Rebecca St., from 7-9 p.m. To attend, people just need to bring a food donation to the workshop, which will go to the Kerr Street Ministries food bank. It's a win-win for everybody, said Bad Dog spokesperson Amy McKenzie in an email. You get some laughs and hungry people get food, right before the Christmas holidays. For more information, e-mail oakville@baddogtheatre.com. Bad Dog provides a holiday laugh