For many, it’s not Christmas without the dance of Clara, Uncle Drosselmeyer, the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Mouse King and, of course, the Nutcracker Prince. But this year the coronavirus pandemic is cancelling performances of “The Nutcracker” around Canada and the US.

The situation is “incredibly devastating” say dance company executives as the annual Christmas classic eliminates a major and reliable source of revenue for an industry that is already reeling financially from virtual shutdown due to COVID-10.

Ticket sales from the Nutcracker fund many other initiatives of the companies, and cancellations have meant layoffs, furloughs and salary cuts, with companies relying heavily – sometimes exclusively – on fundraising to stay afloat.

Company directors say beyond their financial importance, “Nutcracker”’ performances are also a crucial marketing tool for dance companies.

Children often enrol in classes for the chance to dance in the performances as mice, young partygoers and angels, among other supporting roles.

For adults, the shows are sometimes their initial experience watching live dance.

The pandemic has cost the arts and entertainment industry about 1.4 million jobs and US$42.5 billion in the US alone, according to an August analysis by the Brookings Institution.