Media Release
“Modern Classic”
The Winter’s Tale Returns
Casting Announced
Many Exciting Debuts
November 5, 2025… Hope Muir, Joan and Jerry Lozinski Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, shared today the casting for The Winter’s Tale by renowned British choreographer Christopher Wheeldon. The Winter’s Tale returns to the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto November 14 – 21.
This season marks several exciting debuts in lead roles. Performing Leontes are Principal Dancers Christopher Gerty, Spencer Hack, Chase O’Connell and Ben Rudisin. Dancing Hermione are Principal Dancers Koto Ishihara, Genevieve Penn Nabity and Agnes Su and Second Soloist Isabella Kinch. Principal Dancers Tirion Law and Beckanne Sisk and Second Soloist Emerson Dayton perform Perdita. First Soloist Shaakir Muhammad and Second Soloists Keaton Leier and David Preciado dance the role of Florizel. Principal Dancer Heather Ogden and First Soloist Alexandra MacDonald perform Paulina and First Soloists Peng Fei Jiang, Shaakir Muhammad and Donald Thom dance as Polixenes.
Reprising roles are Principal Dancer Tina Pereira as Perdita, Principal Dancer Naoya Ebe as Florizel and Principal Dancer Svetlana Lunkina as Paulina.
Based on Shakespeare’s timeless play, The Winter’s Tale is a moving story of loss and redemption, a meditation on love, jealousy and the enduring bonds of family. The acclaimed production “dazzles with its visual drama” (The Washington Post), blending elements of fairy tale, comedy, tragedy and fantasy.
From the celebrated creative team behind Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, The Winter’s Tale has become a modern classic of the 21st century, distinguished by its powerful storytelling, breathtaking designs by Bob Crowley, sweeping score by Joby Talbot and lighting by Natasha Katz.
Casting
Leontes, King of Sicilia
Ben Rudisin* (November 14 at 7:30 pm/November 16 at 2:00 pm)
Spencer Hack* (November 15 at 2:00 pm/November 20 at 7:30 pm)
Christopher Gerty* (November 15 at 7:30 pm/November 20 at 2:00 pm)
Chase O’Connell* (November 19, 21 at 7:30 pm)
Hermione, Queen of Sicilia
Isabella Kinch* (November 14 at 7:30 pm/November 16 at 2:00 pm)
Koto Ishihara* (November 15 at 2:00 pm/November 20 at 7:30 pm)
Genevieve Penn Nabity* (November 15 at 7:30 pm/November 20 at 2:00 pm)
Agnes Su* (November 19, 21 at 7:30 pm)
Perdita, Princess of Sicilia
Tirion Law* (November 14 at 7:30 pm/November 16 at 2:00 pm)
Tina Pereira (November 15 at 2:00 pm/November 20 at 7:30 pm)
Emerson Dayton* (November 15 at 7:30 pm/November 20 at 2:00 pm)
Beckanne Sisk* (November 19, 21 at 7:30 pm)
Paulina, Head of Queen Hermione’s Household
Heather Ogden* (November 14, 15 at 7:30 pm/November 16, 20 at 2:00 pm)
Svetlana Lunkina (November 15 at 2:00 pm/November 20 at 7:30 pm)
Alexandra MacDonald* (November 19, 21 at 7:30 pm)
Polixenes, King of Bohemia
Donald Thom* (November 14, 20 at 7:30 pm/November 15, 16 at 2:00 pm)
Shaakir Muhammad* (November 15 at 7:30 pm/November 20 at 2:00 pm)
Peng Fei Jiang* (November 19, 21 at 7:30 pm)
Florizel, Prince of Bohemia
Naoya Ebe (November 14 at 7:30 pm/November 16 at 2:00 pm)
Keaton Leier* (November 15 at 2:00 pm/November 20 at 7:30 pm)
David Preciado* (November 15 at 7:30 pm/November 20 at 2:00 pm)
Shaakir Muhammad* (November 19, 21 at 7:30 pm)
*Debut
Casting subject to change.
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The Winter's Tale Trailer
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The Winter's Tale in 100 Seconds
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2025/26 Season Sponsor: BMO
Audi Presents The Winter’s Tale
Lead philanthropic support for The Winter's Tale is provided by Richard M. Ivey, C.C. Additional support is provided by an anonymous friend, The Catherine and Maxwell Meighen Foundation and The Producers’ Circle.
The Producers’ Circle (2016): Gail & Mark Appel, John & Claudine Bailey, Inger Bartlett & Marshal Stearns, Susanne Boyce & Brendan Mullen, Gail Drummond & Bob Dorrance, Sandra Faire & Ivan Fecan, Kevin & Roger Garland, The William & Nona Heaslip Foundation, Rosamond Ivey, Hal Jackman Foundation, Anna McCowan-Johnson & Donald K. Johnson, O.C., Judy Korthals & Peter Irwin, Judith & Robert Lawrie, Mona & Harvey Levenstein, Jerry & Joan Lozinski, The Honourable Margaret Norrie McCain, C.C., Julie Medland, Sandra Pitblado & Jim Pitblado, C.M., Lynda & Jonas Prince, Susan Scace & Arthur Scace, C.M., K.C., Gerald Sheff & Shanitha Kachan, Sandra Simpson and Noreen Taylor, C.M. & David Staines, C.M., O.Ont.
Naoya Ebe is sponsored through Dancers First by Gretchen Ross. Christopher Gerty is sponsored through Dancers First by Ms. Nancy Viner & Dr. Raymond Stein.
Tirion Law is sponsored through Dancers First by Anne-Marie Canning.
Svetlana Lunkina is sponsored through Dancers First by Anna McCowan-Johnson & Donald K. Johnson, O.C.
Heather Ogden is sponsored through Dancers First by Ira Gluskin & Maxine Granovsky Gluskin.
Genevieve Penn Nabity is sponsored through Dancers First by George & Kathy Dembroski.
Tina Pereira is sponsored through Dancers First by The Honourable Margaret Norrie McCain, C.C.
Ben Rudisin is sponsored through Dancers First by Sylvie Allard & Brian O’Keefe.
Alexandra MacDonald is sponsored through Dancers First by an Anonymous donor.
Isabella Kinch is sponsored through Dancers First by Daphne Taras.
Keaton Leier is sponsored through Dancers First by Donald & Suzanne Kopas.
The National Ballet of Canada gratefully acknowledges the ongoing support of the Canada Council for the Arts; the Ontario Arts Council; the City of Toronto through the Toronto Arts Council; the Government of Canada – Department of Canadian Heritage with the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Culture and Identity; and the Government of Ontario with the Honourable Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming and Minister of Sport.
Isabella Kinch with Artists of the Ballet. in The Winter's Tale. Photo by Karolina Kuras.
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The National Ballet of Canada
Catherine Chang, Associate Director of Communications & Content Strategy
Kate Dresser, Communications Manager
Media@national.ballet.ca