Nutcracker 2004

Today we know “The Nutcracker” as a ballet performed every year at Christmastime to the wide-eyed delight of audiences around the world. It began as the bitter and complex tale “The Nutcracker and The Mouse King” by the German writer E.T.A. Hoffman. Alexander Dumas adapted the tale for children, then it was adapted for a full-length ballet by the Russian Imperial Ballet in 1892 with a score by Peter Tchaikovsky. An enduring dance favorite, it reached its 2000th performance by the end of the 20th century.

Our story begins on Christmas eve in the home of Dr. Stahlban, a city official. Dr. Stahlban, his wife, and children Claire and Fritz are having a Christmas Party, an affair for relatives and close friends but most of all a party for the children. A late arrival to the party is Herr Drosselmeier, Claire’s Godpapa, a mysterious man and marvelous inventor of moving toys. He has brought three large boxes, and a Nutcracker for Claire. She is pleased with the Nutcracker, but her brother Fritz is so furious that he grabs the Nutcracker and breaks it. All the children are upset and tired and clearly in need of sleep. Now let’s join our Claire and her family as they begin their Christmas celebration.

Act I Scene 1: The Party

Claire......................................... Margie Blanche (Saturday)

.......................................... Piper Booth (Sunday)

Fritz............................................ McLeod Arrington

Dr. Stahlban................................ Cody McKellar

Mrs. Stahlban.............................. Andrea Tower

Godpapa Drosselmeier................. Johnny Booth

Butler......................................... Harry Ogle

Housekeeper............................... Marie Cunningham

The Parents................................ Lana & Alan Arrington, Cathy & Brian Blanche,

Regina & Bill Jeffers, Melissa Proctor,
Jeanne & David Sanders

The Children............................... Aubrey Armstrong, Emily Arrington, Travis Blanche,

Susannah Burrell, Gabrielle Cheeks, Zach Cox,
Amia Fisher, Ingrid Jackson, Caitlyn Jeffers,
Hannah Krapac, Sarah Krapac,
Brandon Merritt, Hunter Merritt, Rob Sanders,
Robert Tedder, Alex Velazquez, Blaire Webb

Kissy Doll................................... Molleigh Wallace

Soldier Doll................................. Rachel Ross

After the party is over and everyone is in bed, Claire cannot sleep. She tiptoes downstairs into the dark living room. Claire finds her wonderful Nutcracker and starts back upstairs when the huge grandfather clock, a terrifying old owl, flaps its wings as the midnight hour is sounded. Then the magic begins...

Act I Scene 2: The Battle

The Nutcracker............................ Steven Hugley

Mouse Queen............................... Rachel Ross

Soldiers........................................ Kaylina Madison, Elizabeth Ogle,

Lauren Proctor, Taylor Thomas, Molleigh Wallace

Mice............................................ McLeod Arrington, Rachel Ballard, Gabrielle Cheeks,

Shaniyah Kemper, Hannah Krapac, Mary McCaa,
Ellen McCaa, Denita Preacely, Marneicha Wilson

Smaller Soldiers............................ Kaylor Bell, Grace Burnett, Abby Emerson,

Caitlyn Jeffers, Ronesha Tucker

Angels......................................... Gabrielle Bowman, Elizabeth Cowan, MaKayla Cowan,

Machia Lumpkin, Mary Catherine Miller, Kennedy Monsour,
Cortlyn Norris, Wendy Oakes, Jayla Wilson

Act I Scene 3: Christmas Wood

Snow Queen................................ Ellen McCaa

Snow Flakes................................ Gabrielle Cheeks, Catherine Cox, Kaylina Madison,

Leigh Merritt, Elizabeth Ogle, Ashley Proctor, Lauren Proctor,
Taylor Thomas, Katherine Tipton, Lakeria Tubbs,
Rebeca Velazquez, MaKayla Willis

Intermission

Act II: The Land of Sweets

Angels......................................... Kaylor Bell, Grace Burnett, Mary Lou Craig,

Hailey Grimshel, Erin Ingram, Ingrid Jackson,
Sarah Krapac, Katherine Tipton

Sugar Plum Fairy.......................... Rachel Ballard

The Arabians did the Dance of Coffee

Arabian..................................... Andrea Moreira, Emily Bradley

Guard........................................ Brian Blanche

Attendants................................. Avery Burrell, Hilary Fallon,

Lyndsey Freeny, Ellen McCaa

From Russia came the dancing Candy Canes

Russian..................................... Kaylina Madison, Lakeria Tubbs,

Molleigh Wallace, Marneicha Wilson

From Spain came the Dance of Hot Chocolate

Spanish...................................... Rachel Ross

Attendants................................. Emily Fuller, Mary McCaa,

Ashley Proctor, Morgan Teller

From France comes Mother Ginger and her little puppets

Mother Ginger............................ Marie Cunningham

Polichinelles............................... Mary Lou Craig, Abby Emerson,

Hailey Grimshel, Erin Ingram,
Shaniyah Kemper, Sarah Krapac

Chinese dancers did a lively Dance of Tea

Chinese Princess....................... Molleigh Wallace

Attendants................................. Emily Arrington, Susannah Burrell,

Hannah Krapac, Mary McCaa,
Rebecca Velazquez, MaKayla Willis

From England came the Dance of the Reed Flute

Marzipan................................... Andrea Moreira, Emily Bradley

Then all the flowers of the Kingdom danced the Waltz of the Flowers
(choreographed by Wendy Waller)

Dew Drop Fairy........................ Taylor Thomas

Flowers..................................... Rachel Ballard, Gabrielle Cheeks,

Kaylina Madison, Leigh Merritt,
Elizabeth Ogle, Rachel Ross

........................................... Catherine Cox, Roya Jackson,

Denita Preacely, Lakeria Tubbs,
Blaire Webb, Marneicha Wilson

Finale: All The Delights

Claire never told anyone about the beautiful Land of Sweets, but she knew that someday her love for the “Nutcracker” would take her back to that magic kingdom where wonderful things await all those who have the eyes to see them. And we are sure we will see you in the Land of Sweets again.

Production Staff

Set Design...................................... Randy Jolly

Stage Crew..................................... Randy & Reneé Norris; Brian Blanche;

Baron Kleinhans; Harry, Vickie, & Daniel Ogle

Lighting........................................... Amy Welch, Terry Welch

Archangels...................................... Rachel Ballard, Lyndsey Freeny, Vickie Ogle

Ticket Sales.................................... Dorothy Tuccio

Costumes........................................ Lana Arrington, Cathy Blanche,

Marie Cunningham, Vickie Hall

Lobby............................................. Allison Cox, Dani Kaye Thomas, Stacey Teller

Green Room.................................... Allison Cox, Vickie Ogle

Program.......................................... Mike Calnan

Special Thanks to...

Brian Blanche

Travis Blanche

Lois Christian

Allison Cox

Marie Cunningham

Alan Katzenmeyer

Beth Krapac

Randy, Renée, Caray, & Colton Norris

Harry, Vickie, & Daniel Ogle

Stacey Teller

Dani Kaye Thomas

Garrett Wallace

Molleigh Wallace

Wendy Waller

Nancy Watkins

I would like to thank all of you for sharing your children with me. It has been a joy to work with so many talented children. I thank all friends, parents, relatives, and students who have helped make this show such a success. Your hard work, dedication, and patience are greatly appreciated. I have truly enjoyed working with you all.

Miss Debra

A portion of our proceeds will be donated to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

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