‘A Bombers Nutcracker’ puts a Sioux Lookout spin on a holiday classic

Tim Brody - Editor

A local spin on a holiday classic.
On Dec. 17, dancers with Lookout Dance Company teamed up with members of the Sioux Lookout Bombers Jr. A Hockey Team to present “A Bombers Nutcracker”.
The sold out performance was held at the Sioux North High School Cafetorium.
Aurelia Averill, who took on the role of Clara, shared after the performance, “I think it was really good. At first, I was a bit nervous but, in the end, I thought it was really fun.”
“I think everybody did really good,” she added.
“It was a lot of practice, but I really enjoyed training for it,” Averill said, adding she was “super excited” to find herself in the role.
Bombers defenseman Dylan Orr took on the role of the Hockey Nutcracker. “I thought it was a great opportunity to learn some dance moves,” he said adding, “This was great at Christmastime. It was great working with the kids.”
Olivia Gaudry took on the roles of the Mouse Queen as well as Sugar Plum Queen.
“I think it went pretty good,” she said of the performance. Asked about performing with members of the Sioux Lookout Bombers she said, “I think it was cool and also special to Sioux Lookout.”
An assistant coach with Lookout Dance Company, Gaudry helped guide some of the younger dancers during the performance.
“I think it was a cool experience,” she said.
This is Emily Johnstone’s first year as an instructor with Lookout Dance Company.
She said of the performance, “It was awesome. Honestly it was such a nice little event that we put on and it went better than we expected, beyond our wildest dreams.”
 A relative newcomer to the community, Johnstone moved here three years ago with her husband Carson Johnstone, the head coach of the Sioux Lookout Bombers.
She said of bringing the Bombers and Lookout Dance Company together for the performance, “It definitely helped having Carson as my husband, but I think knowing the Bombers organization they would have done it no matter what. They love being a part of the community and this was a just a really nice way to bring a Christmas classic to the town of Sioux Lookout but with a little Sioux Lookout spin having our Bombers in it.”
Lookout Dance Company Instructor Arianna Kitching shared, “We got a lot of positive feedback about it, and I feel like the dancers had a lot of fun.”
“This was our first production. So, I feel like it went as well as it could have,” she added.
Dancers started practicing for the performance in late October with the Bombers joining them in late November.
The show and partnership with the Bombers went so well that Kitching shared, “A Bombers Nutcracker is going to be a Sioux Lookout tradition. We’re going to do it every year.” 
“Next year we’re going to hopefully do two shows so that we can accommodate more people,” she said. This year’s performance sold out in just three hours.
Commenting on selecting “The Nutcracker” for this year’s performance, Kitching commented, “I was in the Nutcracker probably for 16 years of my entire dance career and it was always such a tradition, you got to be in different roles, the story I just found super magical… I just felt it suited the Bombers coming in and it was always a classic for me to go to the Nutcracker ballets, so I wanted my students to also experience the magic of “The Nutcracker” as well.”
Commenting on adapting the play to Sioux Lookout and incorporating the Sioux Lookout Bombers, Kitching explained, “I thought it would be a cute idea to do it more related to the town.” She added, “We’re hoping next year to add on a few new numbers, maybe a blueberry pie number…  just trying to instill some of the local sweets and stuff into “The Nutcracker” as well and just seemed to fit where we are as a community.”
Kitching also shared, “I just wanted it to be more authentic so people could relate to the story instead of it being someplace in 1960s how it usually is. We tried to make it more modern so when you’re sitting in the audience it’s like you’re on stage with us.”
Dancers with Lookout Dance Company aged two and three to 14 years of age showcased ballet, tap, jazz, and contemporary dance during the performance.
“We thought to include more of the kids’ classes that they’re in so that they could be in more numbers and also just change it up a little bit,” Kitching said.
The performance was the culmination of the first dance term with the second dance term running from January to May.
Kitching said it’s amazing how far Lookout Dance Company has come in three years, “It’s gone from two classes at the Rec Centre to a full studio space with a huge production, it’s crazy how time flies and how fast things advance. It’s lovely. The response from the community has been excellent.”
Included below is the full synopsis for “A Bombers Nutcracker”:
“This festive holiday adventure brings a fresh twist to the classic tale of “The Nutcracker”’, set in the snowy town of Sioux Lookout, Ontario, on Christmas Day.
“In Act 1, Clara is thrilled for her family’s annual Christmas party, where she eagerly anticipates opening presents with her friends. Amid the laughter, dance, and holiday joy, Clara unwraps a special gift: a Bombers Nutcracker! The night is filled with excitement as the friends dance with their new toys. But, as the evening comes to a close and Clara heads to bed, little does she know, the real adventure is just beginning. As Clara sleeps with her new Bombers Hockey Nutcracker by her side, mischievous mice led by the Mouse Queen and King launch a daring attempt to steal it. The Bombers Hockey Nutcracker springs to life, defending Clara with the help of his brave Bombers Hockey Soldiers in an epic battle. However, when the Mouse King captures the Nutcracker, Clara sets off on a courageous quest to rescue him.
“In Act 2, Clara’s pursuit leads her into a mystical winter wonderland, transformed by a fierce blizzard. Guided by a swirling dance of Snowflakes, she journeys through magical lands - each more enchanting than the last. She dances with the Flowers, outwits the taunting Candy Canes, narrowly escapes the Gingerbread Cookies, and even warms her heart in the Land of Coffee. Finally, Clara reaches the Land of the Sugar Plums, where the Hockey Nutcracker Prince is safely protected by the Sugar Plum Queen and King and their fairies. Together, they celebrate with a beautiful dance, honouring Clara’s bravery and courage. But as the dance concludes, Clara is overcome with exhaustion and realizes it’s time to say goodbye. She drifts to sleep, and the blizzard begins to fade. When Clara awakens, the blizzard has disappeared, and she finds herself back in her cozy home on Christmas day again-no longer in the magical realm. To her surprise, she is holding her Bombers Hockey Nutcracker once again. But this time, it’s no longer a living, breathing hero, but just a toy. As Clara places the Nutcracker back under the tree before the party begins, she smiles, wondering if her extraordinary adventure was all just a dream-or if the magic of Christmas is truly real!”