whyilovetoronto: Why I Love Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts: Where sugar plum fairi

whyilovetoronto: Why I Love Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts: Where sugar plum fairies dance into your head Memories I was watching The Morning Show when Jim Cuddy of Blue Rodeo made an appearance discussing his new solo album. This reminded me of an encounter I had with Jim. Two years ago I volunteered as a seat filler during the Canadian Walk of Fame Gala at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. As a seat filler I sat in other people’s seats while they went to the bathroom or accepted an award on stage to make the auditorium look full on TV. When Blue Rodeo went to accept their induction I sat in Jim Cuddy’s seat. This was my first visit to the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts located on the south east corner of Queen and University. My second visit was to see the White Stripes inspired ballet Chroma (trailer below). I have fond memories of this building. It’s where I met Kim Catrell and fashion icons Dsquared2 as well as cried when Robert Munsch told us the true meaning of his story Love You Forever. I will also never forget the giggles coming from my grandmother when she saw the little children dressed like sheep hopping around the stage during The Nutcracker. (Courtesy of The Toronto Star) 10 years of arts This is a remarkable building. What is most noticeable is the large glass window facing University in which people outside can peer in and watch patrons in dresses and suits walk up the staircase to get to the upper levels or sitting to listen the brilliant dance legend Karen Kain speak to audiences about the production in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre. (Courtesy of Diamond Schmitt Architects)  The building opened in Summer 2006, but its first show, which was Der Ring Des Nibelungen by Wagner premiered in Fall 2006. The building hoses both the Canadian Opera Company and The Nation Ballet of Canada. The modernist building by Diamond and Schmitt Architects has an auditorium modelled after European opera houses, which means it is a traditional horse-shaped auditorium. Another interesting fact is every seat in the auditorium was computer tested so every seat was ensured to have a good sightline of the stage. The building also had 103 washrooms and the longest free-spanning glass staircase in the world which can hold up to 20,000 pounds. Beyond the areas the public has access to the arts centre has a massive backstage for employees and dancers. The woman who supervised my seat filling job told us to stay together or risk getting lost. (Courtesy of Canadian Opera Company) The Nutcracker The famous Tchaikovsky piece has been considered a holiday classic ever since its premiere in St. Petersburg in 1892. The National Ballet of Canada re-imagines the piece with choreographed numbers by James Kudelka. As The National Ballet of Canada describes the piece, Natural rhythms of farm life provide the backdrop to the fantastic dream journey of Misha and Marie, the brother and sister at the centre of the narrative. We follow the bickering siblings through an astonishing dreamscape of fantastic creatures, places and events, before they finally arrive at the magical palace of the Sugar Plum Fairy, having grown into a new maturity and understanding. I don’t want to turn this into a sales pitch, but if you’re looking for a gift this holiday season, tickets to The Nutcracker are perfect. The smile on my grandmother’s face was probably the best gift I could have ever received as a grandson.  (Courtesy of Pinterest) The Cannon Dolls are another fun aspect of The Nutcracker and features celebrities, athletes and public figures. For 2016 the Cannon Dolls include:  Olympians Penny Oleksiak and Martha McCabe TTC personnel, Andy Byford and Mike Palmer Governor General’s Literary Award and Giller Prize winner Madeleine Thien Kim’s Convenience creator Ins Choi and star Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, Handmaid’s Tale  Author Margaret Atwood Global News anchors Susan Hay and Farah Nasser The Morning Show co-hosts Carolyn MacKenzie and Jeff McArthur CP24′s Jee Yun Lee and Nathan Dower  (Courtesy of Toronto Star) There will be other television stars, writers, editors and more in the role throughout the shows run. Past Cannon Dolls have included social media astronaut star Chris Hadfield, Olympic Skater and dock-series star Tessa Virtue, former Mayor John Tory, CBC star Rick Mercer and more.   It starts this week! -- source link

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