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JONESBOROUGH REPERTORY
THEATRE
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The Nutcracker
A Youth Musical
Performed by Gay Whitt School of Dance and Celebration Show Choir
Directed by Cherry Smith
December 2 & 3, 2006
Jonesborough Repertory Theatre was proud to host the 15th anniversary of a
wonderful collaboration. The Celebration Show Choir and The Encore Dancers of
Gay Whitt School of Dance present The Nutcracker, A Youth Musical.
This delightful adaptation of the timeless ballet features songs,
dances, and a script that are created especially for the young performer.
This production provided an opportunity for young people to
experience the magical kingdom of the Nutcracker firsthand.
For 15 years, we
have been blessed to perform this production at Jonesborough Elementary
School,” says Director, Cherry Smith. “Now,
having the show at JRT, we have opened even more doors to the community,
enabling children from all area schools to be involved.”
The miniature overture captures the enchantment of the holiday season as the curtain opens
on a Christmas Eve party at the home of Fritz and Marie. The gift of a tiny
nutcracker from their Godfather causes a bit of a family disturbance. But,
it is that very gift that starts us on our magical journey to the land of
“sweet” dreams. At the stroke of midnight, the Nutcracker is transformed.
He leads his army in a victorious encounter with the evil Mouse King after
which he escorts Marie on an enchanted journey to Candy Meadow, Cookie County,
and the Kingdom of Sweets. They meet all sorts of
interesting people on their travels: the Sugar Plum Fairy, Russian Bakers,
the Candy Flutes, Chinese Tea Dancers, beautiful Arabian Dancers and
wonderful Waltzing Flowers.
This production of The Nutcracker was adapted from “The Nutcracker Suite” by Peter I.
Tchaikovsky and “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” by E. T. A. Hoffman.
Lyrics and Script by Mary Kay Beall; Music Arranged by Ruth Artman;
Orchestrated by Bob Lowden.
“JRT is proud to host this very special event,” says Kathleen Buttolph, the theatre’s
Artistic Director. “We applaud Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Whitt for continuing
Christmas traditions and for supplying today’s youth with yet another
artistic opportunity.”
This year JRT has shown great expansion and enthusiasm in educational programming – producing
over 6 student productions, holding three classes per week for grades K-12,
and entering 7 student written plays in Barter Theatre’s Young Playwrights
Festival. Most recently JRT received an Award of Excellence in recognition
for outstanding work by an ensemble cast in the production, The Jack Tales
(performed at the Tennessee Theatre Association’s State Competition held
this year in Johnson City).
“The Nutcracker” kicked off JRT’s Celebration of Children’s Theatre month. December
brought bring two full weekends of children’s theatre to Jonesborough Repertory
Theatre.
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Jonesborough Repertory
Theatre
125½ West Main Street
Jonesborough, Tennessee 37659