Entertainment West Coast

Max and Ruby in the Nutcracker Suite

This week we took the girls out for an early Christmas treat. We attended Max and Ruby in the Nutcracker Suite at the Surrey Bell Performing Arts Centre. The show opened with Christmas elves doing a song and dance routine and setting up  the stage. We had fantastic seats for this show, thanks to Rock.It Boy Entertainment, and oh how I wish I could show you Kay’s face when she saw Max and Ruby, larger than life right in front of her, but it was just too dark to take a picture.

Max and Ruby in the Nutcracker Suite

When Max and Ruby receive a very large box containing dancing robots and two dancing Harlequin dolls from their Uncle Drosselmeier the toymaker, Grandma is reminded of the Nutcracker story and reads it out to the little bunnies. The show then features scenes and musical numbers from The Nutcracker Ballet, all taking place in Max and Ruby’s imaginations.

Max and Ruby in the Nutcracker Suite

Ruby plays Clara, and Max is the Nutcracker Prince Max. This is the classic Nutcracker Suite ballet shortened and simplified for the little ones. Grandma briefly mentions fighting, but there is no battle with the Mouse King. This is suitable for even the youngest and most sensitive children.

I wasn’t sure how my girls would do. At two and four years of age, I figured they’d either love it or be bored silly. I’m happy to report they were both mesmerized! Tee was particularly impressed with the ballet lifts and carries and kept asking her daddy if he could pick her up like that. (Note: he can, and Ballerina is Tee’s new favourite game!)

Max and Ruby in the Nutcracker Suite

After a 20 minute intermission, Max and Ruby visit the Land of Sweets. They watch performances by the Sugar Plum Fairy, a Spanish dancer, Arabian dancers, Chinese dancers, and an incredibly athletic Russian dancer. Kay really liked the tap dancing gingerbread man and candy canes, and the whole audience danced along with the Waltz of the Flowers.

Max and Ruby in the Nutcracker Suite

Be aware this is not like a Max and Ruby television episode, and Max and Ruby don’t do a lot of dancing. They mostly watch, and Ruby narrates what’s happening. Even so, the girls thoroughly enjoyed the show, and as soon as we got home, they ran for the dress-up box to put on tutus and and start practicing their pirouettes. The show is a fantastic way to introduce young children to ballet, Tchaikovsky, and to The Nutcracker.

Bring the kiddos for a new holiday tradition! Visit Max and Ruby on Tour for more information and get your tickets before they sell out!

Max & Ruby coming

Disclosure: I received media tickets for the purpose of writing this review. All opinions expressed are completely honest and my own, based on my personal experience. Your experience may differ.

Leave a Comment

8 Comments

  • this must have been a lot of fun and I can just imagine Kay’s face, now she’ll probably believe that they are just made smaller to fit into the TV 🙂

  • I can just picture my little girls face if she were to see the show….lol Maybe next year we can catch it. Fingers crossed 🙂

  • this is so cool! I’m a teacher and I bet my students would love this!! lol why am i always so behind on performing arts productions?!

  • We go to the nutcracker every year.But not last year since H was only a few months old. If me and hubby dont go to the classic nutcracker hopefully we can take her to a baby friendly version like this !