The Citadel Dance and Music Center is bringing a production of A Steamed Nutcracker to The Mendel Center at Lake Michigan College. Full details are below:
The Citadel Dance & Music Center proudly presents “A Steamed Nutcracker” December 18th, 2021 at the Mendel Center at Lake Michigan College. This steampunk twist on a holiday favorite has become a local tradition since its inception in 2015. Back for two special performances in its sixth year, this production features story and choreography by Director of Dance, Lari Lawrence-Gist with score by Peter Tchaikovsky performed by a professional orchestra directed by Steven Reed.
The story begins with a holiday ball held by the heroine, Sansa, inside her zeppelin. The party is attended by many of her friends, including her best friend, Cora, who arrives with a handsome soldier (Lawton) who, despite Cora’s best attempts to beguile him, falls in love with Sansa. The Seer and her Three Eyed Ravens fruitlessly try to warn Sansa of impending doom, but Sansa refuses to listen. The Seer shares the prophecy with Fiametta (Sansa sister) and by doing so, she sets in motion the very series of events she was trying to avoid. Guests depart and Sansa falls asleep with the events of the evening haunting her dreams. Her vivid dreams are a delicious visual treat for the audience and include unforgettable characters such as a flock of Three Eyed Ravens, Timekeeping White Rabbits and Father Thyme-keeper of the Paratroopers. Blinded by jealousy, Cora attacks with her band of pirates and the battle the Seer tried to warn her of ensues. In the end, The Seer must decide if the best way to protect Sansa is by letting her go.
“A Steamed Nutcracker” will be danced by students ages 6-40 and includes many different genres of dance. Sansa is played by Lake Michigan Lutheran senior, Mari Stegman, and the Pirate Queen is played by SJHS sophomore Amelia Lifferth. Lawton is played by Countryside Senior TJ Nichols and Brammall is played by Tony Jordan. The Seer is played by Lari Lawrence-Gist. The full score, written by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, will be played live by an orchestra made up of professional musicians from across the region, directed by Steven Reed. The Saturday Matinee will be performed by understudies Ava Neidlinger, Avery Valenti and Laura Hall.
Sansa’s Tea Party will be held for children ages 4-12 in the North Lobby at 12:30 leading up to the Matinee performance. Attendees will have tea and treats with the cast, receive a backstage tour, have photos taken with the cast, and have their fortune told by the Seer. Tickets are $25 available at www.themendelcenter.com.
Tickets are available at www.themendelcenter.com and range from $20-$35. Two performances on Saturday, December 14th at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Audiences of all ages will enjoy the varied treats offered in “A Steamed Nutcracker.”
