BWW Interviews: Lucas Pinner in THE STORY OF THE NUTCRACKER at The Growing Stage

This holiday season, The Growing Stage, The Children's Theatre of New Jersey in Netcong will present an original adaptation, The Story of the Nutcracker. It will be performed from November 21st through December 21st and is recommended for the entire family. With book by Stephen L. Fredericks and Perry Arthur Kroeger, the production transforms the classic holiday ballet into a fully formed theatrical production laced with the music of Tchaikovsky. Broadwayworld.com had an opportunity to interview Lucas Pinner who plays Herr Drosselmeir in The Story of the Nutcracker.

Pinner is thrilled to be working with The Growing Stage on this production. A member of Actors' Equity, he made his TGS debut as Grimsby in The Little Mermaid in October. Pinner recently graduated from Kean University's Department of Theatre with a BFA in Theatre Performance. Past credits include: George Gibbs in Our Town, Valere in The Gamester, Lysander in A Midsummer Night's Dream and Romeo in Romeo and Juliet.

We asked Pinner what were his earliest memories of performing. "My earliest memories of performing are from when I was in plays at my church. I also have fond memories of performing with my cousins and siblings. We would write, direct, and act in short-films that we had imagined. Every time we got together, we would create a brand new, outlandish film that we would make our parents sit down and enjoy/endure."

Pinner credits his many mentors with his success. "I have a long list of career mentors who have greatly influenced me, either through working with them, learning from them in a class or through some other connection. One such mentor is Bill Bowers, a mime and actor who directed me in Our Town, where I played George Gibbs. Another career mentor is Gail Winar, who helped lead me to my job as a teaching artist at George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick. A big influence on me is Michele Mossay, a resident choreographer at Papermill Playhouse, who has greatly helped me in all aspects of my life and has been a guiding light."

Pinner told us about his role as Heir Drosselmeir. "Drosselmeir is a wonderfully exciting role to play, as he is a passionate storyteller, a trickster and a magical, mysterious man who can appear at any moment. He pulls the strings in The Story of the Nutcracker, acting as the puppet-master, leading characters on journeys of adventure and magic."

Pinner has high praise for The Growing Stage. "The cast and crew of The Growing Stage has been one of the most welcoming and loving groups of people with whom I have worked. They all have such big hearts and their main focus is to truly entertain the children, and adults, who come to enjoy their productions."

Pinner is sure that area audiences will enjoy the holiday show. "Audiences will love The Story of the Nutcracker because it is a colorful retelling of a beloved, classic ballet. It is filled with bigger-than-life characters and an exciting quest that anyone new to the story can fall in love with and anyone familiar with the ballet can love in a new, re-imagined way. It is a wonderful way to get into the Christmas spirit!"

We asked Pinner about his other upcoming career plans. "For the future, I hope to continue acting and entertaining as much as I can. I am pursuing my career as an actor as much as possible, while also continuing to teach theatre at George Street Playhouse. In February, I am doing set and costumes for Parade at Hamilton Stages in Rahway, NJ, with Bullet Theatre Collaborative. I hope to always be working in the theatre, in whatever capacity I can!"

For more information on Lucas Pinner, visit his web site at www.lucaspinner.com. The Story of the Nutcracker will be at The Growing Stage on Fridays at 7:30 pm and on Saturdays and Sundays at 4:00 pm through December 21st. The theatre is located on Route 183, 7 Ledgewood Avenue in Netcong. For more information, visit their web site at www.growingstage.com or call (973) 347-4946.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of The Growing Stage

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