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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 17 | Stouffville Sun-Tribune | Thursday, December 15, 2016 Experience joy, magic of season at your local theatre AMANDA PERSICO apersico@yrmg.com This is the busiest time of year. "Sometimes we are so busy, we don't see each other for very long," said Eric Lariviere, the Flato Markham Theatre general manager. This year, give the gift of a magical family outing, sprinkled with joy and awe with tickets to the local theatre. "The holidays are a time for families to be together," Lariviere said. "The theatre is a beautiful gathering. It's a moment. Live arts feed the soul." Local theatres also provide world-class entertainment close to home at a reasonable cost. "Giving the gift of the theatre is a way to leave the hustle and bustle behind," said Newmarket's recreation and culture director, Colin Service, who is also responsible for programming at the Newmarket Theatre and Old Town Hall. "The theatre allows us to escape for a while and be part of a different universe." Local theatres offer a close encounter with holiday favourites, such as "The Nutcracker". "It's like the ballet is in your own living room," Lariviere said. "It's a different experience than going to the National Ballet." Returning to the Flato Markham Theatre is Ballet Markham: "A Celtic Family Christmas" - Dec. 15, 8 p.m. Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy are recognized around the world for their fiery fiddle playing. The show features uplifting, Celtic folk music, step dance with a joyous spirit. Markham Flato Theatre markhamtheatre.ca "A Christmas Carol" - Dec. 21, 8 p.m. The Orillia Opera House brings Scrooge’s journey to discover the true meaning of Christmas to the big stage. The show also features a new concert of many Yuletide favourites. Flato Markham Theatre markhamtheatre.ca "Max and Ruby in the Nutcracker Suite" - Dec. 28, 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Inspired by Tchaikovsky's timeless Nutcracker Suite, the beloved bunny siblings star in this family friendly, festive musical. Flato Markham Theatre markhamtheatre.ca "The Nutcracker" - Dec. 30 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Presented by Ballet Jorgen, the classic story with a Canadian twist brings Tchaikovsky's music to life on stage through dance. Flato Markham Theatre markhamtheatre.ca Whitchurch-Stouffville: "A Christmas Carol" - Dec. 17 to 19, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Presented by the Motus O Dance Theatre, the classic tale comes to life on stage through dance. 19 on the Park — Lebovic Centre for Arts and Entertainment nineteenonthepark.com Ballet Jörgen presents the Nutcracker at the Flato Markham Theatre Dec. 30 at 2 and 7 p.m. Jögen's presentation of "The Nutcracker", featuring an alluring Canadian scenery. For the first time, the Flato Markham Theatre presents a family-friendly version of the time-honoured classic, "The Nutcracker", staring beloved bunnies Max and Ruby. "This is a chance for children to see their TV stars on the local stage," Lariviere said. Not only is the magic of the holidays on display through dance and drama with the Nutcracker and A Christmas Carol, but the holidays is also about the music. "The music is so amazing," said Richmond Hill Centre for Performing Arts theatre manager Michael Grit. "The carols and hymns and the music from the Mozarts Submitted photo of the world were created for celebration. It's the music that inspires a sense of magic." Not to mention, classic holiday music, such as the "Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy," is only heard during this time of year. Seeing a live performance on stage brings the story to life through dance and music, Grit added. $ Sa Yo ve ur Si M W m pl he em o y nY b ff M en ou er tio Jo sh n in ip T ! hi sA d. 25 Membership Means Business Join The Chamber Today! www.stouffvillechamber.ca Call (905) 642-4227 harry@stouffvillechamber.ca yorkregion.com