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The Graham Cracker
A Nutcracker Parody
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December 2 & 3, 2022 @ 7pm
December 4, 2022 @ 2pm
Artistic Director
Amberly M. Simpson
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Associate and Technical Director
Joseph R. Brandt
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Co-Director
Heather Moran
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The Graham Cracker: A Nutcracker Parody is Ambo Dance Theatre'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
Rylan Cole
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Graham Cracker
JD Frost
Chocolate
Rylan Truman
Marshmallow
MAC
Drosselmeyer
Candace Kresse
Sugarplum Fairy
Uhstel H. Valentine
Bonfire Goers
Melissa Bowen, Nakoma Ehrhart, Lydia Fletcher, Madalyn Durst, Izzy Parks, Sofia Ritchie, Scout Tarquinio
Chocolate Clan Warriors
Madalyn Durst, Carly Hay, Aila Kolehmainen, Helena Smith-Pohl, Avery Stevens
Marshmallow Clan Warriors
Alyssa Ernst, Mia Henry, Carolina Kepler, Eszter Krizsan, Je'Marion Miller
Powdered Sugar Snowflakes
Madalyn Durst, Alyssa Ernst, Carly Hay, Mia Henry, Carolina Kepler, Aila Kolehmainen, Eszter Krizsan, Izzy Parks, Sofia Ritchie, Helena Smith-Pohl, Avery Stevens, Scout Tarquinio
Sugarplum's Sprinkles
Melissa Bowen, Nakoma Ehrhart, Lydia Fletcher, Candace Kresse
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Nerds
Madalyn Durst, Alyssa Ernst, Carly Hay, Mia Henry, Joey Johnson, Carolina Kepler, Aila Kolehmainen, Eszter Krizsan, Helena Smith-Pohl, Avery Stevens
Taffy
Madalyn Durst, Izzy Parks, Sofia Ritchie, Scout Tarquinio
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Jelly Belly
Jennifer Shelton
Pop Rocks
Madalyn Durst, Lydia Fletcher, Mia Henry, Aila Kolehmainen, Candace Kresse, Eszter Krizsan, Sofia Ritchie
Peeps
Melissa Bowen, Nakoma Ehrhart, Lydia Fletcher, Candace Kresse
Cheese
Madalyn Durst, Izzy Parks, Sofia Ritchie, Scout Tarquinio
The Story
Preshow Music​
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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"
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Voiceovers:
Joseph R. Brandt
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Act I: The Bonfire
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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…
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Overture
Music: “Overture”
Choreography: Amberly M. Simpson in collaboration with the Junior Company Dancers
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The Bonfire
Music: “March”
Choreography: Amberly M. Simpson
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Drosselmeyer and S'Mores
Music: “Gifts/Herr Drosselmeyer’s Arrival with His Nephew/Toy Dolls/Toy Soldiers”
Choreography and Staging: Amberly M. Simpson and Heather Moran
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Clara's Rebellion/Shifting Realities
Music: “Marie's Dream”
Choreography and Staging: Amberly M. Simpson and Heather Moran
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Act II: The Battle and the Land of Snow
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The Battle
Music: "The Battle"​
Choreography and Staging: Heather Moran in collaboration with the Junior Company Dancers and Trainees
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The Lovers
Music: “Nutcracker and Marie Depart for the Pine Forest”
Choreography: Amberly M. Simpson
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Waltz of the Powdered Sugar Snowflakes
"Music: “Waltz of the Snowflakes”
Choreography: Sheila Zeng
Staging: Amberly M. Simpson
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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.
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The Sugarplum Fairy
Music: “Sugarplum Fairy”
Solo Choreography: Amberly M. Simpson
Ensemble Choreography: Professional Company and Apprentice Ensemble Dancers
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Nerds
Music: “Hot Chocolate”
Choreography: Amberly M. Simpson and Heather Moran in collaboration with the Junior Company Dancers and Trainees
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Taffy
Music: “Tea”
Choreography: Youth Apprentice and Community Ensemble Dancers
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Jelly Belly
Music: “Coffee”
Choreography: Jennifer Shelton
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Pop Rocks
Music: “Candy Cane”
Choreography: Joseph R. Brandt
Solo Choreography: Joseph R. Brandt and JD Frost
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Peeps
Music: “Marzipan”
Choreography: Professional Company and Apprentice Ensemble Dancers
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Cheese
Music: “Mother Ginger and her Polichinelles”
Choreography: Youth Apprentice and Community Ensemble Dancers
The Wedding/First Dance
Music: “Waltz of the Flowers”
Choreography: Amberly M. Simpson
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The Sugarplum Fairy's Blessing
Music: “Waltz of the Flowers” Remix by Brian Burrows
Solo Choreography: Uhstel H. Valentine
Graham Cracker and Clara's Duet Choreography: Joseph R. Brandt and Heather Moran
Ensemble Choreography: Amberly M. Simpson
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Lover's Bliss/The Ambush/Clara's Lament
Music: “Sugarplum Fairy and Cavalier Pas de Deux”
Lover's Bliss Choreography: Jesse Barfield
Graham Cracker and Clara's Duet Choreography: Joseph R. Brandt, Heather Moran, and JD Frost
The Ambush Staging: Joseph R. Brandt, Heather Moran, and Amberly M. Simpson in collaboration with the dancers
Clara's Lament Choreography: Heather Moran
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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.
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Return to the Bonfire/Clara's Lament Reprise
Music: “Finale”
Choreography: Amberly M. Simpson
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Bows
Music: “The Sugarplum Fairy and Cavalier Coda”
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FIN
Thank you for getting silly with us this holiday season!
The Creative Team
Director/Lead Choreographer
Amberly M. Simpson
Featured Choreographers
Jesse Barfield
Joseph R. Brandt
Heather Moran
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
Lindsay Krupski
Sound and Projection Operator
Joseph R. Brandt
Costume Design
Typh Hainer-Merwarth
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Props and Set Design
Melissa Bowen
Joseph R. Brandt
Special Thanks
Rachel Bucio Grote
Louisville Contemporary Dance School
Melissa Case, Amos Hopkins, and the Lincoln Performing Arts School
Joey Johnson
Mia Henry
Allison Henry
Sheila Ernst
Nikki Durst
Carly and Kari Hay
Avery and Angela Stevens
Leigha Miller and Ronnie Ashley
Sandra Mulders
Mary Kay Brandt
Sheila Zeng
ZYIA Activewear
Bourbon Tango
Blue Dog Bakery
3rd Turn Oldham Gardens
Andrew Dailinger Photography
Greater Art Solutions Photography
Barre3
Carmichael's Bookstore
Hive & Barrel Meadery
Fante’s Coffee
Joseph's Salon
Middletown Family Chiropractor
TITLE Boxing Club Louisville - Hurstborne
Louisville Tea Company
Mindful Spiritual Reiki
Woven Nest Counseling
Pho Phi
Roosters
George Orthodontics
Taco City
On Pointe Dancewear
Massage by Laurie
Scale Reproductions Hobby Shop
Joe's Palm Room
And everyone who donated cotton balls!!!
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Upcoming at Ambo!
In January of 2023 we are formally merging with the Louisville Contemporary Dance School and expanding our training to include a Children’s Program. This is a major step in our long-term goal to build a clear pipeline into the professional world of dance that is inclusive of all backgrounds and life circumstances!
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Learn all the details in the video above!