By Hillary Johnson, Special to The Times

Once upon a time, weary parents heaved a resigned sigh when the Christmas decorations went up the day after Thanksgiving; now the sighs are deeper and come sooner, as the garish ads and incentives begin to appear right after Halloween. But just when consumerism seems likely to swamp us, along comes the sweet, gentle "Nutcracker," which is all about the true magic of gift-giving and gift-getting.

"The Nutcracker," in all its quaint, sugary splendor, reminds us that there are ordinary gifts like silk ties, golfing gloves, miniature trains and Easy-Bake Ovens, Cabbage Patch Kids and Tickle Me Elmos, and then there are the gifts we are given by more mysterious forces: the gift of a loving home, of a crystal-clear day or of a child's budding talent for the dance.

Posted by Marie (Member# 95) on 12-15-2001, 08:03:

Janice Mawhinney - Toronto Star, 12.15.01:

Curse of the Claras

There's a legend that whatever young girl stars in the National Ballet's Nutcracker never goes on to make it big in the company

For years, it's only been talked about in whispers in the corridors of the National Ballet School and the National Ballet of Canada.

And it's never ever mentioned in front of the latest child star.

The "Curse of the Claras" is a strange dance spectre that traditionally inspires hushed tones when the National Ballet performs its annual holiday favourite, The Nutcracker.