The Nutcracker… with a twist

Lisa Duke photo

San Juan Community Theatre’s Family Theatre shares a fantastical twist to the classic Tchaikovsky ballet when more than 60 island kids and adults bring The Nutcracker and the Mouse King to the Whittier THIS Friday through Sunday, November 22-24.

Not only is there ballet, but the holiday musical (script and lyrics by Mary Gray) also features singing, more dancing (even a few “rap” moves) and dialogue.

Directed by Penelope Haskew, the play reaches back to the original E.T.A. Hoffman book explaining how the Prince was long ago turned into the Nutcracker who later magically saves Clara from the evil Mouse King. All of the classic characters make an appearance, from Clara’s mysterious godfather to her annoying younger brother, Fritz, to the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Land of Sweets.

This is the second time Penelope has brought a twist on a classic to the stage. Last year, she directed Shakespeare’s Macbeth, featuring kids, adults and dancing and singing. “I think this is a fun way to introduce something classic to the kids, so they can appreciate it more when they get older,” said Penelope.

Tickets are available at www.sjctheatre.org or 378 3210.

Click here for entire cast listing and more Lisa Duke photos…

The Nutcracker and the Mouse King Cast

Frederick…Bryce Ridwan
Edward… Cyrus Rollins
Martha…Danielle McKay
Clara…ElsaDora Arendt
Britta…Eve Hulse
Drosselmeyer…Floyd Bourne
Fritz…Hank Erickson
Granny…Hannah Greene
Anna’s Mother…Heather Cain
Alexander…Isaiah Embler
Gilda…Lucy Marinkovich
Alice…Lucy Martin
Mrs.Wong…Olivia Monin
Ms. Stahlbaum…Rita Miller
Andrew…Satchel Bourne
Mr. Stahlbaum…Scott Dow
Marguerite…Siri Dow
Anna…Sonora Tate
Anna’s Mother…Stephanie Mattox
Britta’s Mother…Terra Hulse
Cousin Marie…Tori Zehner
Party Guests…Anne Marie Ridwan, Emily Fitts, Faith Embler, Fionnoula Bourne
Nutcracker…Rachel Starr
Mouse King…Ryker Mattox
Mouse #1…Bryce Ridwan
Mouse #2…Chiara Power
Mouse #3…Alison Power
Mice…Aaron Orozco, Allison Fleming, Darcy Ayers, Emily Fitts, Lucy Marinkovich
Toy Soldiers…Cyrus Rollins, Fela Andrews, Isaiah Embler, Madison Miller,
Satchel Bourne, Sidney Herda, Sofia Kasper, Sonora Tate
Snow Patrol…Brenna Crouse
Sleigh Pushers…Allison Fleming, Ayla Ridwan
Snowflakes…Aiyanna O’Prussack, Ally Sandwith, April Cain, Ava Martin, Hannah Greene, Lucy Martin, Maggie Zehner, McKenna Clark, Rian McElrath, Sierra Fitts, Sofia Duke, Sofia Kasper
Snow Queen…Fionnoula Bourne
Snow King…Hank Erickson
Sugar Plum Fairy…Presley Clark
Cousin Marie…Tori Zehner
Spanish Girl….Chiara Power
Spanish Dancers…Aaron Orozco, Atziry Orozco, Carmen Orozco

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