By: Joseph Szalinski
The 80s were simpler times. Hair was big, greed was good, and movies were original. After a rocky start, our economy boomed, as did our space shuttles. Video games brought people together, and sometimes out of the house, instead of being used by the CIA to radicalize lonely and impressionable kids online. Long before people parroted “Yo Mama” jokes on XBOX Live, they left inappropriate three-letter initials across arcade scoreboards. That retro spirit is being revived, with a family-friendly spin, in Hobnob Theatre Co’s latest holiday production, The Nutcracker: New Game, directed by Ken Smith, now running at Butler County Community College’s Succop Theater.
Clara (Cassidy Spirk) is a Dreamcast, I mean, an outcast. She’s a girl who loves to code and spend time on “the interwebz” instead of hanging out with people she isn’t related to. Following a lovely, yet slightly cringy, evening of Christmas Eve carols and games, she finds herself the center of ridicule from the other girls at the party. This is her genesis for tinkering with a video game gifted by her Uncle Harry (Cory J. Pfahl), which pulls a Tron and transports her into a world of glitchy graphics and embattled foes. Written by Deanna Sparrow and Ken Smith, this story is chock-full of heart and humor. Replete with witty references, memorable characters, and yuletide cheer, audiences of all ages are sure to enjoy and relate to this show.
Featuring a rather expansive cast, most of whom pull double duty with roles, this show is teeming with talent.
Cassidy Spirk phenomenally leads the charge as Clara, the hero of this dope production.
Sarah Dailey is tremendous as the cattie Sammie/The Rat Queen, expertly ensuring her villainous turn as the latter isn’t cheesy.
Cory J. Pfahl rocks as Uncle Harry Drosselmeyer/The Nutcracker, the former being a generous musician/inventor, while the other is a Vanilla Ice-inspired tree nut connoisseur.
Casey Hoolahan adds plenty of warmth with her dual roles as the Mom/Fairy. Grant Kingston gives a heartwarming performance as Clara’s brother Fitz, while Conleth McVeigh is wonderfully corny as Clara’s holiday-obsessed father.
David McGrogan plumbs the depths of his characters, Gino/Enzo, cooking up humorous performances as the pair of them. Craig Adams delights as Grandpa/Famous 80s Video Game Character, which allows him to “waka waka” the walk and talk the talk, delivering cantankerous one-liners and the occasional jab.
Ellie Jedrzejewski skillfully alludes to the show’s source material as a featured dancer and doll. Rounding out the cast are all the young performers who give terrific performances: Willow Calvert, Carly Cousins, Corbin Federkeil, Hayden Federkeil, Reignah Federkeil, Palmer Gifford, Flora Grace, Katelyn Hankey, Lillian Moreland, Lilliana Morgan, Leilani Stagnaro, and Natalie Weyandt.
The Nutcracker wouldn’t be complete without music. Forgoing the orchestral fare used in other versions, this production blends original songs, holiday favorites, and 8-bit reworkings of famous scores. To accomplish this, the incredible musicians Jessica Sanzotti (bandleader), Eddie Trizzino, Karen O’Donnell, and Ken Smith are enlisted. The audience even has a chance to lend their skills to the mix with a sing-along at the end.
In addition to dancing, this iteration of The Nutcracker boasts moments of Taekwondo. The last time I was so enthralled by a marriage of martial arts and eighties sensibilities, I was watching Kung Fury at a sketchy apartment in Slippery Rock. Engage Martial Arts, a local school/studio, is brought in to demonstrate impressive physical feats. Owner Leeann Cramer, program director Valerie Farester, and head instructor Evan Hartshone have devised a demonstration of astonishing athleticism that displays the skills of their young martial artists: Ryer Brennen, Ellie Feicht, Isaac Hoffman, Abigail McGrath, Lydia McGrath, Lilliana Milligan, Eloise Roman, Waylon Stewart, Wednesday Wagner, Kylee Windon, Sierra Viehmann, Aria Yost, and Georgia Yough. With nunchucks, staffs, board breaking, and everything in between, this is one of the most exciting shows you’ll see. Very reminiscent of Street Fighter and Double Dragon.
Assisting in the immersion of the onstage world are a slew of technical elements. Set and props by Ken Smith, Danyle Verzinskie, and Katie Moore transform the boards into a wholesome holiday home and, later, into a digital realm infested with rats and vaguely familiar faces who fight them. The cabinet of the arcade nutcracker game is incredibly realistic and begs onlookers to try their hand at besting the Rat Queen. Costumes by Katie Moore bring fashion and flair into the mix, decorating each character in an ensemble that evokes nostalgia. Choreographers Deanna Sparrow and Ellie Jedrzejewski have concocted dazzling routines that are so fun to perform, even inanimate characters have a go at busting a move.
Hobnob Theatre Co. once again demonstrates why it is an invaluable staple of the local scene and community. Not only have they crafted an evening of entertainment that everyone can enjoy, but they also do so while providing a tremendous opportunity for kids who are just beginning their theatrical journeys. Not to mention helping to highlight the excellent work other local businesses can do. They are a fantastic organization that puts on wonderful workshops and productions throughout the year, but really shine around Christmastime.
Succop Theater is a fantastic venue for such a production. Situated on Butler County Community College’s campus, the building is impressive, and the theater itself is even more so. Inside is a large stage that can host whatever thespians can conjure, along with plenty of seats for awed audiences to enjoy the performances.
-JS
The Nutcracker: New Game runs at Butler County Community College’s Succop Theater December 19, 20 and 21.
