Nutcracker 2008

We had a Nutcracker ad on Vicksburg Video
running Wednesday through Saturday on Nickelodeon,
ABC Family, Food Network, USA, TNT, and VH1.
Click the thumbnail photo below to view the video

The ad is also on YouTube.

click on photo to view more photos

Nutcracker Frivolity

Nutcracker, Dec 21
(by Nicole)

Nutcracker, Dec 21
(by Janet)

Performance, 21 December 2008

Nutcracker, Dec 20
(by Nicole)

Nutcracker, Dec 20
(by Janet)

Performance, 20 December 2008

Debra Franco presents…

The Nutcracker

20 December 2008 at 7:00 pm & 21 December 2008 at 2:00 pm

Parkside Playhouse, Vicksburg, Mississippi

Produced by
The Debra Franco Preparatory School of Dance

601-638-7282 dance.39180.com

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............................................................................................................................ Erin Fordice

Fritz............................................................................................................................... Lee Fortner

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

Mrs. Stahlban................................................................................................ Marie Cunningham

Godpapa Drosselmeier.............................................................................................. John Booth

Butler....................................................................................................................... Alex Monsour

Housekeeper............................................................................................................ Karen Calnan

The Parents...................................................... Cisi & Michael Mathews, Pam & Steve Beck,
Cheryl & Elton Williams, Nan Wagner, Molleigh Wallace

The Children.................................................. Arbrey Arendale, Kaylor Bell, Madalyn Burke,
Beth Fortner, Erin Fordice, Zharia Jackson, Cati Mathews,
Ashley Patterson, Emily Wojtala, Aaliyah Wilson,
Philip Beck, Brandon Merritt, Hunter Merritt, Shea Wilson

Kissy Doll............................................................................................................... Morgan Teller

Soldier Doll..................................................................................................... Marneicha Wilson

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................................................................................................. Stephen Hensley

Mouse Queen.......................................................................................................... Audrey Pope

Soldiers.............................................................................. Sherlee Chandler, Gabrielle Cheeks,
Tess Frazier, Mary McCaa, Dante Sanders

Smaller Soldiers...................................................................... Brandon Merritt, Hunter Merritt,
Anastesia Tower, Keegan Wilson, Shea Wilson

Mice................................................................................ Marie Cunningham, Mia Summerville,
Lindsey Bailey, Elizabeth Cowan, Mary Lou Craig, Alexandra Scott,
Lakeria Tubbs, Rena Williams, Andrea Tower, Machia Lumpkin

Angels.......................................................................... Sydney Fayth Wynn, Marissa Jabour,
Lendsi Jones, De`Swayla Powers, Radyn Horton,
Megan Edwards, Hannah Somerville, Jasmine Moran, Kailee Rogers,
Shakyria Allen, Sidney Dimmette, Mary Miller Theobald, Cayleigh Dispenza

Act I Scene 3: Christmas Wood

Snow Queen............................................................................................................... Piper Booth

Snow................................................................ Margie Blanche, Lauren Brady, Grace Burnett,
Catherine Cox, Abigail Fraley, Ashtin Gaimbrone,
Madisyn Miller, Kennedy Monsour, Caroline Puckett,
Kaley Stamps, Morgan Teller, Marneicha Wilson

Snow Angels................................................................... Sydney Fayth Wynn, Lendsi Jones,
Marissa Jabour, Kailee Rogers, Megan Edwards,
Hannah Somerville, Radyn Horton, Jasmine Moran, De`Swayla Powers

Intermission

Act II: The Land of Sweets

Act II Angels............................................................. Sarah Beck, Brelynn Beck, Anna Brady,
Natalie Burke, Morgan Nelson, Stephanie Sellars,
Amber Williams, Keegan Wilson

Sugar Plum........................................................................................................ Molleigh Wallace

Chinese dancers did a lively Dance of Tea

Chinese............................................................................................................. Margie Blanche

Chinese Attendants....................................................... Alexandra Scott, Elizabeth Cowan,
Victoria Gong, Kaley Stamps

From Russia came the dancing Cossacks

Russian............................................................................ Lakeria Tubbs, Marneicha Wilson,
Audrey Pope, Dante Sanders

From Spain came the Dance of Hot Chocolate

Spanish............................................................................................................... Andrea Tower

Spanish Attendants................................................................. Kaylor Bell, Mary Lou Craig,
Beth Fortner, Kennedy Monsour

From England came the Dance of the Reed Flute

Marzipan..................................................................................................... Ashton Giambrone

Marzipan Attendants............ Tess Frazier, Mary McCaa, Lakeria Tubbs, Rena Williams

From France comes Mother Ginger and her little puppets

Mother Ginger....................................................................................................... Anna Brown

Pochinelles............................ Jade Cooper, Jayla Holt, Brandon Merritt, Madison Miller,
Mia Somerville, Anestasia Tower, Makayla Walker, Shea Wilson

The Arabians did the Dance of Coffee

Arabian....................... Morgan Teller, Ashton Giambrone, Piper Booth, Margie Blanche

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

Dew Drop Fairy.................................................................................................... Audrey Pope

Flowers....................... Keanna Abraham, Lindsey Bailey, Madalyn Burk, Victoria Gong,
Jordan Howard, Brooklyn Langford, Machia Lumpkin, Jayla Wilson

................................................ Gabrielle Cheeks, Sherlee Chandler, Catherine Cox,
Tess Frazier, Mary McCaa, 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.

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.

Production Staff

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

Tickets........................................................................................................... Amanda Monsour

Preparation...................... Randy Norris, Lois Christian, Jennifer Cowan, Benita Abraham
Marie Cunningham, Ann Claire, Alaina , Erin, & Nathan Fordice,
Carey Somerville, Randy Jolly, Becky Jolly, Leigh Merritt,
Karen Fortner, Renée Scott, Alexandra Scott, Chris Scott,
Janet and Nicole Birch, Steve Beck, Dennis Ross, Don Chandler,
Johnny Booth, Karen & Mike Calnan, Evan Wojtala, Jim Wojtala

Green Room...................................................... Karen Fortner, Karen Wojtala. Renée Scott,
Pam Beck, Cheryl Beck, Catrina Ferguson,
Stacey Horton, Allison Cox, Donna Brady

Stage Crew.................................................................................... Don Chandler, Randy Jolly,
Michael Mathews, Steve Beck, Elton Williams

Archangels............................................................................ Carey Somerville, Karen Calnan

Music...................................................................................................................... Leigh Merritt

Lighting................................................................................................................... Mike Calnan

Lobby.................................................. Pam Beck, Cheryl Beck, Stacey Teller, Donna Brady

Refreshments................................................................................................ Competition Team

Cast Party.................................................................................................................... Lori Burke

Cleanup........................................................................................ Terri Booth, Richard Horton

Special Thanks to...

All the Jolly’s

Ann Claire Fordice

Terri Booth

Marie Cunningham

Carey Somerville

Amanda Monsour

Mike and Karen Calnan

Jack Burns

Jeff Hensley

Walter Johnston

Janet Birch

Dorothy Holzmann

Terry Welch

Amy Bednar

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.