The Nutcracker: The House Theatre of Chicago
| Venue: | The Greater Boston Stage Company (Formerly Stoneham Theatre) |
| Hours: | Hours Vary see below |
| Ages: | Kids, Teens, Adults |
| In/Outdoor: | Indoor |
| Cost: | $$ see below |
| Category: | Theater & Shows |
“To find happiness, in this case Christmas happiness, you can't ignore your demons, but you have to push on and hunt them down.” [Chicago Tribune]
For advance tickets and information on 'The Nutcracker,' visit or call the Stoneham Theatre Box Office at 781-279-2200 (hours Tues.–Sat., 1–6pm) or log onto www.stonehamtheatre.org.
12 year old Clara triumphs over the Rat King. The victorious ending of a well known tale that is in essence whimsically wrenching and wholeheartedly heartfelt. When stripped away of all its usual 1950-ish Tchaikovsky tinsel, 'The Nutcracker,' as imagined by The House Theatre of Chicago and adhering closely to E.T.A Hoffman’s dark original, is a riveting tale of a family in shock, with parents immobilized by the grief of losing their soldier son Fritz. A year ago, that unexpected knock on the door during a Christmas Eve party changed everything. And a year later, there are no plans for special Sugar Plum cookies, just the usual pizza bagels.
But daughter Clara is on a quest to take back the light of Christmas, with the much needed boost from her Great Uncle Erich Drosselmeyer who has fashioned for her a Nutcracker doll with an uncanny resemblance to her brother Fritz. In fact, it is Fritz, whose spirit embodies the doll and is determined to help empower Clara and her legion of toys to rid her home of the rat demons who have haunted the place for a year. For Clara, enough is enough with all this doom and gloom.
Under the direction of Stoneham Theatre’s Artistic Associate and Director of Education Caitlin Lowans, 'The Nutcracker' is imbued with lots of spectacle, plenty of movement and music -- and tons of fun. But it also brings into focus what happens to children when parents clam up and can’t express emotions that are essential to vocalize. Children are kept at bay and in the dark. But kids are smarter than that, they are very much aware of being shut out. Clara is indeed one of those kids and she’s not going to take it any more. First on the agenda, time to make Sugar Plum cookies. Ah, but not so fast, says a Rat! And with that, The Nutcracker games begin.
“…something wonderful, steeping a usually cotton candy frothy affair with dark psychological depths while maintaining a perfect balance between irreverence and joy.” [Chicago Examiner]
Stoneham Theatre’s T'he Nutcracker' features the talent of Sirena Abalian as Clara, Danny Bryck as Fritz, Bill Gardiner as Uncle Drosselmeyer, Meagan Hawkes as Martha (Clara’s mom), Mark Linehan as David (Clara’s dad), Grant MacDermott as sock toy Monkey, Alycia Sacco as doll Phoebe, and Nick Sulfaro as robot toy Hugo. The Rats? Well, that is for the audience to figure out. Musical Director Matthew Stern (keys) conducts the accompaniment featuring Priscilla Chew (cello), Stanley Silverman (violin), and Mick Lewander (percussion). The artistic support team is made up of Chris Ostrom (lighting and scenic design), Lisa Polito (costume design), John Stone (live sound design), David Remedios (recorded sound design), and Carissa Gerber (props).
The House Theatre of Chicago (www.thehousetheatre.com), the award-winning team who created Stoneham Theatre’s critically acclaimed 'The Sparrow' (presented in Stoneham in 2009) developed their version of 'The Nutcracker' in 2007 presenting it on the Steppenwolf Theatre stage. Due to popular demand, they brought it back to their own stage in 2010 and are running it again for their 2011 holiday season. Their version is very much aimed at adults and older teens but is thoroughly enjoyed by children of all ages.
Director Caitlin Lowans, Stoneham Theatre’s Artistic Associate and Director of Education, is in her ninth season at Stoneham. She has directed eleven shows on the mainstage, most recently' Sunfish' and 'The Turn of the Screw,' and directed or co-directed 22 shows for the theatre’s young company. Her 'Thrill Me' for the Emerging Stages series earned her an IRNE nomination for best musical and best director. Recently she directed Ryan Landry's 'Psyched! The Untold Story of Mrs. Norma Bates' for the Huntington Theatre's Emerging America Festival. Lowans is an alumna of Georgetown University, Harvard University's Arts in Education program, and the Lincoln Center Directors Lab.
Choreographer Ceit Zweil is a producer of kids' websites at WGBH in Boston. After five years at the helm of the highly-acclaimed Arthur website, she is currently producing the companion site for the new kids engineering series Design Squad. She has worked with PBS to pilot new Parents & Teachers editorial guidelines on Arthur (and continued efforts to deliver rich supporting online content for grown-ups as producer of the Curious George Parents & Teachers area). Zweil has served as project manager and content producer for several other WGBH-produced sites, including Zoom, Time Warp Trio, American Experience’s Wayback, and the Arthur/Children’s Hospital Boston portal for kids. She has a BA in European History from Smith College, and a MA in Theatre Education (with a focus on interdisciplinary education through the arts) from Emerson College. Prior to WGBH, Zweil developed an interdisciplinary arts/science curriculum for a local education company. She is also a performer and dance teacher in the Boston area.
Additional events at Stoneham Theatre connected to the production:
-- The Nutcracker Talkback:
On Sunday, November 27, following the 2:00 pm matinee in the Atelier Gallery, join the Stoneham Theatre artists and cast who bring The Nutcracker to life, in a spirited discussion of the play, the process, and all things theatre. Refreshments will be served; space is limited.
-- The Nutcracker “Working Together: Building an Ensemble” Workshop:
On Saturday, December 3, 11:00 am-12:30 pm, prior to the 1:00 pm matinee performance. The young company at Stoneham Theatre is offering a workshop taught by actor Danny Bryck who is in the cast of The Nutcracker. All workshop participants will then have the opportunity to attend the 1:00 pm matinee. Recommended age for participants: grades 4-7 (with parental permission). Limited to 15 students. The $20 per person fee includes a student price ticket to the show. Further information can be obtained by contacting Laura Smith, Education Assistant, 781-587-7914, laura@stonehamtheatre.org.
-- Pay-What-You-Can Performance of The Nutcracker to Benefit Toys for Tots:
On Friday, November 25, patrons have the option of “buying” tickets one hour before the performance with a new unwrapped toy. All toys will benefit the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program and will be distributed as Christmas gifts to the less fortunate children in the area. Toys will be accepted as Pay-What-You-Can payment only for the 7:00 pm performance of The Nutcracker on Friday, November 25.
Stoneham Theatre’s Pay-What-You-Can performances are made possible by Melrose Cooperative Bank.
Stoneham Theatre is an official drop-off location for Toys for Tots, for more information about the program, visit www.toysfortots.org. Toy donations for Toys for Tots will be accepted through December 23rd.
Special additional performance of The Nutcracker:
-- The Nutcracker will have several additional 10 am student matinees. All tickets are $15. These performances are followed by talkbacks with members of the cast and artistic support team. The matinees will be held on Dec. 1st, 7th & 8th, 13th through 15th, and 20th through 22nd. Further information can be obtained by contacting Carol Dempsey, Director of Audience Development, 781-587-7905, carol@stonehamtheatre.org.
-- The Nutcracker will also have one additional senior matinee held on Wednesday, November 30th, at 2 pm. All tickets are $28. This special performance is being sponsored by Salter HealthCare. Further information can be obtained by contacting Carol Dempsey, Director of Audience Development, 781-587-7905, carol@stonehamtheatre.org.
| HOURS | ↑ top |
Show times vary:
Fri. 11/25 at 7 pm; Sat. 11/26 at 5 pm & 8 pm; Sun. 11/27 at 2 pm; Wed., 11/30 at 2 pm; Fri. 12/2 at 7 pm; Sat. 12/3 at 1 pm & 5 pm; Sun. 12/4 at 2 pm; Fri. 12/9 at 7 pm; Sat. 12/10 at 1 pm & 8 pm; Sun. 12/11 at 2 pm; Fri. 12/16 at 7 pm; Sat. 12/17 at 1 pm & 5 pm; Sun. 12/18 at 2 pm; and Thurs. 12/22 at 7 pm.
| COST | ↑ top |
Tickets: $44-$48 regular admission; senior discounts apply; all student tickets $20. Student/senior discount matinees available. [Special pay-what-you-can Friday performance: November 25 at 7 pm.]
| WEBSITE | ↑ top |
| LOCATION | ↑ top |
Stoneham
Stoneham Theatre, 395 Main Street, Stoneham, MA 02180, conveniently located in the center of town with easy access off of Rte. 93. Detailed directions can be found at http://stonehamtheatre.org/directions.html.
| TIPS | ↑ top |
- A different kind of 'Nutcracker'.
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