The Celtic Nutcracker

The Celtic Nutcracker was written, produced, and directed by Alicia G. S. Ferrera of the Shamrock Irish Dancers. Performed by a cast of over 45 talented dancers, this story is set in Ireland and tells the imaginative tale of a young girl and her beloved Nutcracker. The Celtic Nutcracker: The Shamrock Irish Dance Company Artistic Director - Alicia G. S. Ferrera Based on the original story by E. T. A. Hoffman CAST OF CHARACTERS Narrated by Jossalyn Larson Claire -- Abigail Emmett Nutcracker Prince -- Sam Adams Sugar Plum Fairy/Maid/Spanish Hot Chocolate -- Alicia G. S. Ferrera Mouse King -- Hope Olguin Uncle Drosselmeyer -- Matthew Olson Little Brother Finn/Leprechaun -- Ian Emmett Claire’s Mother/Arabian Spice Veil Dancer -- Tamara Spurgeon Claire’s Father -- Leland Boyd Claire’s Grandfather-- Manoah Smith Claire’s Grandmother -- Sabri Mizener Drosselmeyer’s Nephew -- Cardon Richardson Little Bo Peep -- Chloe Brown Baa Baa Black Sheep -- Georgia Adkerson Big Bad Wolf -- Adriel Smith Poinsettia -- Michelle Ellerman Arabian Coffee -- Amy England Dancer Ensemble: Elijah Adams, Ella Adams, Sam Adams, Georgia Adkerson, Jasmine Bohner, Chloe Brown, Michelle Ellerman, Ian Emmett, Amy England, Hannah Estiny, Cheryl Holtz-Gorman, Sara Hobson, Makayla Hubert, Serenity Hubert, Claire Kilgore, Maddie Kozemski, Megan Kozemski, Myresa Medsker, Annalease Mizener, Georgianna Mizener, Sabri Mizener, Hope Olguin, Ellie Oswald, Lexie Oswald, Destiny Pelton, Keagan Richardson, Thaydon Richardson, Kaylene Richardson, Cardon Richardson, Alicia G. S. Ferrera, Adriel Smith, Charlie Smith, Manoah Smith PRODUCTION STAFF AND CREW Setting By: Lighting By: Sound By: Adriel Smith and Brenda Linkeman Nick Oswald Greg Campbell Stage Manager: Props Manager: House Manager: Rosanne Emmett Emma England Ginger Schneider Act 1 - Scene 1 - Christmas Party It is Christmas Eve in Ireland. The night is cold, but Claire is filled with anticipation as this evening hints it’s magic, for it’s her family's annual Christmas party. As the guests begin to arrive and full of cheer, holiday greetings abound! Grandfather and Grandmother soon enter, and to the guests surprising approval, bring dancing Wren Boys to energize and start the ceili festivities! In the midst of the excitement, Uncle Drosslemeyer and his nephew arrive, bearing a wonderful gift - MAGIC! When the magic show ends, Uncle Dresslemeyer surprises all of the children with toys, including a special gift for Claire— a wooden nutcracker soldier! In a fit of jealousy, her mischievous brother Finn grabs the Nutcracker from her and drops it, breaking its jaw. Thankfully Uncle Drosslemeyer repairs the Nutcracker as good as new, and after a lively and full evening, the party comes to an end. After saying their goodbyes, Claire is asked to place her Nutcracker by the tree and head for bed as Christmas will be here before she knows it. Scene 2 - The Battle At Midnight, Claire comes back to the parlor looking for her Nutcracker. She curls up by the fireplace and begins to dream. Soon skittering mice are heard throughout the room. Shadows bounce against the walls and a terrible Mouse King appears! Frightened, Claire hides as she watches the mouse army take over her parlor. Before the mice are able to attack, her Nutcracker is transformed into a life-sized soldier! The Nutcracker summons his toy soldiers and the battle begins. The mice are on a verge of victory when Claire throws her shoe at the Mouse King to distract him, and the Nutcracker is able to thrust the final blow, defeating the Mouse King for good. Soon Angels hear of the good news and take Claire and her Nutcracker Prince on an enchanted journey to meet the Snow Queen of Tir Na Nog, and to the realm of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Act 2 - Scene 3 - Tir Na Nog and the Realm of the Sugar Plum Fairy In the land of Tir Na Nog, beautiful snowflakes begin to dance through the air. This is a kingdom full of fantasy and magic, where fairytales are made. Soon the residents of Tir Na Nog begin to emerge and greet Claire and her Nutcracker. They are given a royal welcome by the Snow Queen herself, along with her trusted companion, Jack Frost. They present gifts to Claire and the Nutcracker for their bravery and saving the kingdom from the vicious Mouse King. Soon the royal entertainment begins — Poinsettia and her lovely Flowers, Spanish Hot Chocolate, Irish Cream, Arabian Coffee and Spices, and a beautiful swan dance by the Children of Lir. Lastly, the Sugar Plum Fairy hears of the wonderful news and enters the realm with her faeries. All dreams must come to an end, as it is now time for Claire to depart. The kingdom waves goodbye as Claire returns home. It was all a dream, or was it? END