BURLESQUE NUTCRACKER to Feature Live Jazz Orchestra

The producers of the wildly popular holiday spectacular Land of the Sweets: The Burlesque Nutcracker take their award-winning production to an all-new level this season with the debut of an original, evening-length score of arrangements performed live on-stage by a nine-piece jazz orchestra for the very first time. This invigorated rendition of Seattle's holiday favorite features professional dance talent performing all-time favorite characters like the light-juggling magic of Babette La Fave, Lily Verlaine's Sugar Plum Fairy, Tory Peil's "toreadora" Hot Chocolate, and the ever-lovable Snowflakes. Also lush with opulent custom costuming and original choreography from the classically-trained Lily Verlaine, this Land of the Sweets is set to snowstorm into the illustrious Triple Door venue December 7-28 for 31 performances. For tickets and information, call the Triple Door box office at (206) 838-4333 or visit their website at www.thetripledoor.net.

Verlaine and McCann are well loved in Seattle for giving the traditional Nutcracker ballet a bawdy makeover - but this season co-producer Jasper McCann has upped the ante! Inspired by the various jazz interpretations of Tchaikovsky's work and the orchestral score itself, McCann teamed up with local musicians Kate Olson (Seattle Rock Orchestra; Seattle Jazz Composer's Ensemble) and Michael Owcharuk (Seattle Jazz Composer's Ensemble; Book-It; 14/48 Project) to create new arrangements of the iconic music of Nutcracker for a mid-sized jazz orchestra. Some of the finest improvisational jazz musicians in the Pacific Northwest will accompany the dancers on stage for one of Seattle's most treasured holiday engagements. "When I decided to embark on this endeavor, I wanted the music to be more diverse than swing arrangements we've heard before," McCann said. "I reached out to my friend, multi-instrumentalist Kate Olson for her ear for detail and composition style. As we progressed in the process, we brought composer/arranger/pianist Michael Owcharuk on board as a finishing arranger and invaluable resource. Of course we all began exchanging ideas and what you're about to hear is the result - a lean, bawdy, bop/cool-influenced re-imagination of ballet's original music."

When asked about what audiences should expect, McCann was excited. "The energy that will be created by the interaction between nine musicians and our exquisite cast will make this the most exciting Land Of The Sweets yet. Fans who have been visiting Land Of The Sweets as a tradition better hold onto their hats... this year will be nothing short of electric!"

Land of The Sweets has a history of attracting strong dance talent and this year is no exception. Joining the cast this year are Alice Cao (Clara in PNB's Syndak/Stowell Nutcracker, 2003), musical theatre actor Patrick Jeffrey as The Rat King and Alvin Ailey trained Molly Levy as Crystallina The Snowflake. They debut in the cast alongside Lily Verlaine, Tory Peil, Marissa Quimby, Scotty Flores, and the fabulous Paris Original. "I am so thrilled to be working with these artists. I have had the pleasure of working with Patrick in Minneapolis for the past three holiday seasons, and Alice and Molly graced my dance company House of Verlaine over the summer," Verlaine comments. "I am so excited to welcome them to our winter wonderland!"

The live Land of the Sweets orchestra features Kate Olson - Band Leader - on woodwinds; Michael Owcharuk on piano; Dave Pascal on bass; Jason Goessl on guitar; Jacques Willis on percussion; Dexter Stevens on woodwinds; Robert Beasley on Trumpet; Colin Pulkrabek on trombone; and Josiah Boothby on French horn.

The Land of the Sweets cast features Paris Original as Tea Twin and Arabian Bodyguard; Tory Peil as Hot Chocolate, Volga-Gal, and Snowflake; Trojan Original as Coco the Toreador, Arabian Bodyguard, Volga-Guy; Babette La Fave as The Sleepytime Reveler and Snowflake; Red Delicious as The Maid ; Dreamy Tangerine as Janet the Snowflake; Moscato Extatique as Rosette the Snowflake; Alice Cao as Marzi the Shepherdess and Tea Twin; Elektra Luxe as Crystalina the Snowflake: Janeé Enchanté as a Snowflake; Tova de Luna as The Aerial Angel; Marissa Quimby as Volga Gal; Lily Verlaine as The Countess of Coffee, The Snow Queen, Sugar Plum Fairy, and Prima Calla Lily; Jasper McCann as Charles Drosselmingus; and Patrick Jeffrey as King Of The Rats, Volga Guy, and a Snowflake. For complete bios, please visit VerlaineandMcCann.com.

Verlaine & McCann are the progenitors of the "Spectacle of Ecdysiastic PageantryTM," a professional-grade variety entertainment that incorporates elements of burlesque, ballet, musical theatre, and vaudeville. Following the traditions of the great musical revues of Ziegfeld and the vaudeville and burlesque of Minksy's, Verlaine & McCann provide entertainments for the discerning audience who understand and appreciate the style and glamour of that by-gone era. Throughout the year, their work can be seen primarily at The Triple Door, and around the Northwest.

For more information, visit VerlaineandMcCann.com.

To post a comment, you must register and login.