New 'Nutcracker' Commands The House

What would happen if the cast of the old Carol Burnett Show did The Nutcracker?Well, the result can be found at the House Theatre's amazing new production of the classic holiday story.That description may sound simplistic, but anyone that truly remembers when Carol used to give her take on classics, the end result was not only hysterical but deeply moving.That is what Director and Choreographer Tommy Rapley has accomplished with this work.At one level the humor is close to slapstick then at the next the emotion of loss, sadness and coping is palpable.Writers Jake Minton and Phillip C. Klapperich have discovered and brought out The Nutcracker's true essence and soul. 

With a cast of characters that could easily have their own variety show, the production follows the Stahlbaum family where during a Christmas party they learn their son Fritz has been killed in the war.Fritz's young sister Clara retreats into her imagination to cope with the loss with a series of dolls (expertly designed by Allison Daniel) that her Great Uncle Drosselmeyer has made for her.With the next Christmas approaching, Uncle Drosselmeyer makes Clara a Nutcracker in Fritz's image.As Clara's world becomes increasingly disconnected, the dolls, of course, become alive to help her defeat the demons that plague her.

Laura Grey's 'Clara' is magnificent.Using quick comic timing and emoting innocence that makes you want to hold her and make everything perfect, Grey is the spirit and the driving force of this production. 

The rest of the company is on equal footing, with Jake Minton as Clara's crafty (in the Martha Stewart sense) Uncle Drosselmeyer knowing, with just his eyes, what will cure Clara.Joshua Holden makes everyone want to go out and buy a clanking Monkey and Joey Steakley's Rat is scary enough to make you forget the strides Rizzo has made in redeeming the creepy qualities of the breed.

As seems to be the tradition of The House Theatre productions, the current adaptation of The Nutcracker delves deep into the psyche but for all the right reasons and is never preachy.The music composed by Kevin O'Donnell is edgy yet beautiful as are the costumes by Debbie Baer assisted by Christina Bourcher. 

There are just a couple of minor quibbles, including the string section being slightly flat and some of the vocal numbers not delivering the impact they should have.This will surely be remedied as the production has a few more performances under its wing.

This isn't your mother's Nutcracker but the House's production should become the new tradition every theatre performs.

Photo by Michael Brosilo: Maria McCullough, Michael E. Smith, Vanessa Stalling, Seth Bockley, Joshua Holden and Laura Grey as Clara

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