Emerald City Theatre Company, in collaboration with G. Riley Mills and Ralph Covert, will present "A Nutcracker Christmas" through Dec. 31 at the Apollo Theater, 2540 N. Lincoln Ave. This fun, fresh holiday spectacular is based on the traditional story of "The Nutcracker," presented in engaging musical theater style. The show features an original score by Ralph Covert—the national children's recording artist of "Ralph's World" fame and leader of the Chicago rock band the Bad Examples—with a slew of cool new holiday songs like "The Wind-Up Ballet," "Welcome to Christmas Wood!" and "Let's Ruin Christmas."
Families will delight to Mills and Covert's contemporary story of a young boy named Fritz, who finds himself home alone on Christmas Eve. A magical evening ensues when Fritz is paid visits by Sugar Plum Fairies, talking toy soldiers, the Mayor of Toy Town, a sweet ballerina, a magic Nutcracker, and of course, the evil Mouse King and his army of mice. Fortunately, Fritz is a level-22 player of Mouse Hunter 5000, and his video game skills help save the day while spurring on surprising twists to the traditional Nutcracker tale.
Ralph Covert has flicked a feel-good switch for more than 100,000 families via his releases on Chicago-based label Mini Fresh. His explanation of how he makes the music that breaks the mold: "Me having fun, the kids having fun, parents having fun, none of it dumbed-down pabulum - that's my mojo." His recent CD "The Amazing Adventures of Kid Astro" was named to Time magazine's list of "6 Kids' CDs for Hip Grownups." Many grownup "Ralph's World" groupies remember his early-'90s hey day as leader of the long-running Chicago rock outfit the Bad Examples, whose rare appearances today are always SRO. Covert's newest children's CD is "Green Gorilla, Monster & Me." For more information, visit www.ralphsworld.com.
Covert has collaborated three times before with Chicago playwright G. Riley Mills: on "Sawdust and Spangles," co-produced by PROP Thtr and Powertap Productions, and winner of the 1998 Joseph Jefferson Award for Best New Work; TimeLine Theater's "Streeterville," also winner of the Jeff Award for Best New Work in 2001; and "The Flower Thieves," a rock and roll circus fable from The Midnight Circus in 2001.
Mills began writing for the theater in 1986. His first play, "Ascending a Staircase to Nowhere," was named winner of the 1987 Midwest Young Playwright's Festival and was produced at the Mixed Blood Theatre, Minneapolis, under the direction of Jon Cranney. Other produced works include "Sour Milk" and "The Interview."
Celebrating its 10th anniversary this season, Emerald City Theatre Company is Chicago's largest professional theater entirely dedicated to families. Emerald City recruits top Chicago theater talent to create shows all ages can enjoy. Jeff-nominated director and European Repertory member Dado directs "A Nutcracker Christmas. "The cast features Sarah Ball (The Nutcracker), Kurt Chiang (ensemble), Noah Durham (Fritz), George Howe (Father/Mayor), Paige Jarvie (ballerina/ensemble), Betsy McKnight (Mom/ensemble), Ginny Moore (Clara/ensemble), Andy Rothenberg (Rat King), and Tom Weber (ensemble). Peter Storm is music director. Costumes are by Natasha Djukic. House Theatre company member Tommy Rapley is choreographer. Shannon Evans is stage manager.
Regular performances Dec. 1-18 are: Thursday and Friday at 10:15 a.m.; Saturday and Sunday at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Performances continue through Dec. 31: Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 22-24 and December 29-31, at 10:30 a.m. only. Single tickets are $9; $12 for adults. For tickets and information, call (773) 935-6100, or visit www.emeraldcitytheatre.com. The production is best suited for ages three and up. All children receive a kid-sized program designed just for them and are invited to meet the actors after the show. All performances are 60 minutes.
To celebrate Emerald City's "A Nutcracker Christmas," Cold Stone Creamery has created a custom-made ice cream flavor - "Nutcracker Twist" - to sell during the run of the show at four Cold Stone Creamery locations: 613 W. Diversey Ave., 2187 N. Clybourn Ave., 1533 N. Wells St., and 1924 W. North Ave. Other family restaurants near the Apollo include Salt n' Pepper Diner, Lou Malnati's Pizza and McDonald's.
Street and adjacent paid parking ($6) are available at the Apollo Theater. The Apollo is easily accessible by CTA trains and buses. The Fullerton el stop (Red, Brown & Purple lines) is located a few minutes south of the theater.
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