Nightmare Before The Nutcracker at the Rio Theatre, Vancouver, Dec. 5 2014. Kirk Chantraine photo.
Photos–Nightmare Before The Nutcracker at the Rio Theatre, Vancouver, Dec 5 2014.
– photos by Kirk Chantraine
A gothic twist on The Nutcracker, Nightmare Before the Nutcracker features theatre, circus, burlesque and live music, and uses characters from Tim Burton movies. The show premiered at the Rio Theatre Friday Dec. 5 and returns Dec. 12 (tickets at riotheatre.ca).
The script was written by writer and circus performer Chris Murdoch. “The characters from the Nutcracker, like the sugar-plum fairies, work so well with Tim Burton characters,” Murdoch said in a press release. “It’s really a perfect match. We also love combining the Christmas themes in the Nutcracker with the Halloween themes in Burton films.”
The show includes Burton characters such as Jack Skellington and Oogie Boogie from Nightmare Before Christmas, Edward Scissorhands, Beetlejuice, martians from Mars Attacks, performed by Screaming Chicken stars Melody Mangler, Shea DeVille, and Voodoo Pixie.
The music of Tchaikovsky and Danny Elfman was arranged for an eight-piece band by local musician and vocalist Red Heartbreaker. Co-producer and guitarist Blue Morris is known for bringing popular burlesque mash-ups to Vancouver, including Beatles Burlesque and Tarantino Burlesque.
The cast list includes:
Clara – Lauren Donnelly*
Sally – Voodoo Pixie
Jack Skellington / Freaky Clown – Sean Covernton
Martian Bombshell / Fancy Lady / Teddy Bear – Melody Mangler
Inventor’s Toy Ballerina / Sugar Plum Fairy / Martian Backup – Ariel Helvetica
Oogie Boogie/Joyce – Shea Deville
Beetlejuice – Steve Bradley
Shock / Little Brother – Sia Metta
Inventor’s Toy Solider / Caterpillar / Martian Backup – Jamaal Parker AKA Mr. Diva
Edward Scissorhands – Kurtis Maguire (Dec 5th Performance), Chris Murdoch (Dec 12th Performance)
Shrunken Head Man / Miss Argentina – Crystal Draper
Sandworm / Martian Amassador – Aidan Sparks
Barrel / Little Brother – Yuki Ueda
Pee Wee – Chris Murdoch
* Cast list from Lauren Donnelly’s website.
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