A ballet company touring Ontario with the production of “The Nutcracker” is facing a setback after a moving truck containing its valuable sets and backdrops was stolen. Ballet Jörgen’s general manager, Stephen Word, made a public appeal for the missing Penske truck with license plate CD50229, describing it as a white 2026 Penske 26-foot international vehicle.
The stolen truck, containing irreplaceable sets and backdrops crucial for their holiday tour, was taken from its parking spot in Etobicoke around 3:30 a.m. Security footage confirms the theft, and although the truck had a GPS tracker, it stopped transmitting its location in Mississauga around 4:30 a.m. Toronto police have been informed of the situation.
Despite the setback, Ballet Jörgen remains committed to their scheduled performances across various Ontario cities. The company plans to proceed with the show in Burlington even if the stolen sets are not recovered. Alen Beljin, a spokesperson for Penske, mentioned that the truck was rented and parked in an unsecured area after hours, with the GPS system disabled during the theft.
Artistic director Bengt Jörgen expressed concern over the stolen backdrops, some of which are replicas of Group of Seven paintings, measuring about eight meters tall and 12 meters wide. Jörgen highlighted the importance of delivering the full production value to the tens of thousands of expected audience members, especially children who may not have the opportunity to see a professional Nutcracker production.
Dancers involved in the show emphasized the significance of the sets in bringing the story to life and creating the ambiance for the performance. Despite the challenges, the company remains optimistic about delivering a memorable dance show and encourages the community to support the arts during this difficult time.