The Graham Cracker
A Nutcracker Parody
December 3, 2021 @ 7pm
December 4, 2021 @ 2:30 & 7pm
Artistic Director
Amberly M. Simpson
Associate and Technical Director
Joseph R. Brandt
The Graham Cracker: A Nutcracker Parody is the company’s original, spectacle-filled spin on the beloved Christmas ballet, The Nutcracker. The piece takes audiences on a psychedelic sugar rush perfect for the whole family, reimagining Nutcracker heroine Clara as a young girl who feels slighted when she doesn’t get to partake in s’mores at a holiday bonfire. Her journey through battles, snowstorms, and the Land of Sweets helps bring a comical story behind the origin of the s'more!
The Cast
Clara
Heather Moran
Graham Cracker
Joseph R. Brandt
Chocolate
Rylan Truman
Marshmallow
MAC
Drosselmeyer
Candace Kresse
Sugarplum Fairy
Uhstel H. Valentine
Bonfire Goers
Lyric Burris, Allesandra Day, Vivian Ortego, Izzy Parks, Sofia Ritchie, Jennifer Shelton, Scout Tarquinio, Arieanna Washington
Chocolate Clan Warriors
Rylan Cole, Carly Hay, Zoe Huguley, Arnela Jasarevic, Eszter Krizsan
Marshmallow Clan Warriors
Kyli Bell, Madalyn Durst, Evie Feldkamp, Emma Harris
Powdered Sugar Snowflakes
Rylan Cole, Allesandra Day, Madalyn Durst, Carly Hay, Mia Henry, Aila Kolehmainen, Ava Lyons, Mallory McCoy, Semaiah Robertson, Helena Smith-Pohl, Scout Tarquinio, Arieanna Washington, Isabela Wilmes
Nerds
Rylan Cole, Madalyn Durst, Carly Hay, Mia Henry, Aila Kolehmainen, Ava Lyons, Mallory McCoy, Semaiah Robertson, Helena Smith-Pohl, Isabela Wilmes
Jelly Belly
Jennifer Shelton
Taffy
Allesandra Day, Scout Tarquinio, Arieanna Washington
Pop Rocks
Vivian Ortego, Izzy Parks, Mallory McCoy, Sofia Ritchie, Semaiah Robertson, Isabella Wilmes
Peeps
Rachel Bucio Grote, Madalyn Durst, Emma Harris, Candace Kresse
Cheese
Lyric Burris, Vivian Ortego, Izzy Parks, Sofia Ritchie
The Story
Preshow Improvisation
Improvisational Scoring:
Amberly M. Simpson in collaboration with the Junior Company Dancers
Music:
"Marie and Fritz Awake/Guests Arrive/Unveiling of the Christmas Tree"
"Father-Daughter Dance/Grandparent's Arrival"
"Herr Drosselmeier's Gifts: Hobby Horse, The Nutcracker"
"Grandfather's Dance"
"Guest's Depart"
Voiceovers:
Joseph R. Brandt
Act I: The Bonfire
We begin at a wintery bonfire gathering of family and friends. General merriment is upon the partygoers when Drosselmeyer arrives, bringing a new sugary treat: chocolate, and marshmallows, and graham crackers, oh my! They intend to introduce everyone to the glory of the s’more! As marshmallows and chocolate are passed around, the evening turns into a wild psychedelic bash for all but young Clara, who, to her disappointment, has only been given graham crackers lest the sugar be too much for her sweet and innocent demeanor to handle. All of this changes, however, when Clara seizes her opportunity to sneak one of the delightful s’mores…
Overture
Music: “Overture”
Choreography: Amberly M. Simpson and the Junior Company Dancers
March
Music: “March”
Choreography: Amberly M. Simpson
Drosselmeyer and S'Mores
Music: “Gifts/Herr Drosselmeyer’s Arrival with His Nephew/Toy Dolls/Toy Soldiers”
Choreography: Amberly M. Simpson
Clara's Rebellion/Shifting Realities
Music: “Marie's Dream”
Choreography: Amberly M. Simpson
Act II: The Battle and the Land of Snow
The Battle
Music: "The Battle"
Choreography: Rachel M. Bucio Grote
Staging: Amberly M. Simpson
The Lovers
Music: “Nutcracker and Marie Depart for the Pine Forest”
Choreography: Amberly M. Simpson
Waltz of the Powdered Sugar Snowflakes
"Music: “Waltz of the Snowflakes”
Choreography: Sheila Zeng
Staging: Amberly M. Simpson
Act III: The Land of Sweets
In the Land of Sweets, Marshmallow and Chocolate express their desire to marry to the Sugarplum Fairy, inciting a giant celebration. Blessings from Sugarplum’s Court of Candies abound! The celebration culminates in the formal union of Marshmallow and Chocolate; the lovers are finally safe in each other's arms! But Chocolate and Marshmallow haven't lost their star-crossed status just yet. With their attention fixated on each other, and Clara and the Graham Cracker celebrating their great victory, hostile members of the Chocolate and Marshmallow clans are spotted sneaking around, preparing to stage an ambush! Graham Cracker defends Clara and the newlyweds, but falls in battle. Marshmallow and Chocolate are torn apart, cueing a mournful dance as her sugar hallucinations wear off and Clara returns to reality.
The Sugarplum Fairy
Music: “Sugarplum Fairy”
Choreography: Amberly M. Simpson
Nerds
Music: “Hot Chocolate”
Choreography: Junior Company Dancers
Jelly Belly
Music: “Coffee”
Choreography: Jennifer Shelton
Taffy
Music: “Tea”
Choreography: Junior Company/Apprentice Swing Dancers
Pop Rocks
Music: “Candy Cane”
Choreography: Joseph R. Brandt
Peeps
Music: “Marzipan”
Choreography: Rachel Bucio Grote, Madalyn Durst, Candace Kresse, and Emma Harris
Cheese
Music: “Mother Ginger and her Polichinelles”
Choreography: Apprentice Dancers
The Wedding/First Dance
Music: “Waltz of the Flowers”
Choreography: Amberly M. Simpson
The Sugarplum Fairy's Blessing
Music: “Waltz of the Flowers” Remix by Brian Burrows
Solo Choreography: Uhstel H. Valentine
Ensemble Choreography: Amberly M. Simpson
Lover's Bliss/The Ambush/Clara's Lament
Music: “Sugarplum Fairy and Cavalier Pas de Deux”
Choreography: Jesse Barfield
Staging: Rachel Bucio Grote and Amberly M. Simpson in collaboration with the dancers
Act IV: Return to the Bonfre
Back at the bonfire, Clara tries to share her story and experience with the other guests, but they simply do not understand. How like adults! Ultimately, Clara must contend with this bittersweet memory on her own, and she is left with new appreciation for the graham crackers she had previously snubbed.
Return to the Bonfire/Clara's Lament Reprise
Music: “Finale”
Choreography: Amberly M. Simpson
Bows
Music: “The Sugarplum Fairy and Cavalier Coda”
FIN
Thank you for sharing this experience with us!
The Dancers
The Creative Team
Director/Lead Choreographer
Amberly M. Simpson
Featured Choreographers
Jesse Barfield
Joseph R. Brandt
Rachel Bucio Grote
Jennifer Shelton
Sheila Zeng
***all choreography is created and developed in collaboration with the dancers!***
Projection/Scenic Design
Joseph R. Brandt
Amberly M. Simpson
Projection Source Artistry
Vectorpouch
Upklyak
Mural Superstore
Rajneesh Mohan
AA-VFX
Janice Perry
Mikhail Nilov
Artem Beliaikin
Music
“The Nutcracker” by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's, recorded
by the New York City Ballet Orchestra
“Waltz of the Flowers” Remix by Brian Burrows
Lighting Design
Mollie Murk
Board Operator
Mollie Murk
Costume Design
Typh Hainer-Merwarth
Special Thanks
Rachel Bucio Grote
Horizons Dance Theatre
Highland Community Ministries
Kim Jarett and K. Jarett Photography
Mary Kay Brandt
Kim Joiner
Sheila Zeng
Jesse Barfield
Sandra and Channing Rivera
Dancensation Studios
Noe Middle School All County Dancers
Whitney KC Thompson or ZYIA Activewear
Bourbon Tango, Cherie Lanier, and Clay Marshall
FOKO and Joshua Gonzalez Gaona
The Financial Depot and Lisbet Fernandez
Gabriel Scott
Aubrey’s Teahouse and Aubrey Hinkle
Royal Pampering Day Spa and Melanie Lipsey
Greater Art Solutions Photography and Guillermo A. Sollano
Barre3 and Abigail O’Bryan
Barrell Bourbon and Ned Anderson
Usborne Books & More and Lindsay Guitar
Hive & Barrel Meadery and George Parker
Fante’s Coffee and Mary Fante
Karen Faulkner Law
Middletown Family Chiropractor
Leslie Robinson-Smith
Lane & Edwards Violins and Elizabeth C. Lane
Mindful Spiritual Reiki and Maggie Story
Body Mechanics Massage Therapy Clinic and Paul T. Carney
Rainbow Blossom and Reagan Stremel
Sarino’s Italian Restaurant and Emily Hyman
Woodlake Wellness and Whitney Fallon
Diego M. Bucio Valencia
The Holy Goat, Creighton Mershon, and Jessi Arrington
His & Hers Cleaning and Sydney Coleman
And everyone who donated cotton balls!!!