'The Nutcracker' opens at The Sauk this weekend
JONESVILLE — “The Nutcracker,” a play based on the famous ballet will jump to life on stage at The Sauk, Hillsdale County’s Community Theatre, for eight performances this weekend and next, Dec. 1-11.
At a gala Christmas Eve party, Clara's godfather presents her with an amazing Nutcracker in the form of a wooden soldier. Too excited to sleep, she suddenly finds the Nutcracker brought to life. He tells her he is a prince under the wicked enchantment of the Mouse King and she joins him in a series of adventures in strange lands as he seeks to regain his throne.
When she wakes, she finds the Nutcracker gone. Was it a dream or not? Then her godfather returns with his nephew — who just happens to look exactly like the prince. The play features dance numbers choreographed to the music of Tchaikovsky.
The Sauk cast features Ellie Gray as Clara, Theo Davis as Frank/Krakatuk, Tomke Michaelis as Aunt Harriet/Snow Queen, Kenny Hong as Mickey/Mouse King, Nate Nelson as Father, Rachel Waechter as Mother/Sugar Plum Fairy, Mike Sutton as Godfather Dross, Josh Lightner as the Nutcracker, Elaina Stemme as Coffee, Lorelei Stemme as Tea, Belle Ambrose as Daisy, Everly Cousino as Rose, Esther Yokell and Ava Kramer as the Candy Canes, Madeline Stemme as Bonbon/Owl and Caleb Quiggle as Prince/Ned.
The cast also includes Castin Cousino, Jacob Gray, Jonathon Comisky and Ford Swihart as the mice, Monica Flannery and Paige Barnes as snowflakes and the dance ensemble consists of Annabelle Gray, Kembry Oxley, Brenna Schaerer and Maira Schaerer.
This Sauk production is directed by Mari Nuñez with choreography by Sarah Kilgore and stage management by Sarah Gray. The design team consists of Trinity Bird (set), Traci Jo Hubbard (costumes), Lilly Macie (lighting), MJ Dulmage (sound) and Jennifer Yokell (properties).
Performances are Dec. 1-3 and Dec. 8-10 at 8 p.m. Both Sunday matinees are now sold out. All performances are at the Sauk Theatre, 240 E. Chicago in Jonesville.
All tickets are $8-$13. The Dec. 1 performance is a Pay What You Can preview. Preview tickets are not sold in advance. All senior tickets to the Dec. 8 performance are $5. Tickets are available at thesauk.org or by calling 517-849-9100.
"The Nutcracker" is sponsored by 5/3 Bank. The 2022 season is sponsored by Joyous Journey Photography. The 2022 media sponsor is WCSR Radio Hillsdale and The Dale 99.5 FM.
This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: 'The Nutcracker' opens at The Sauk this weekend
