But It’s Not Even Halloween Yet!

Tonight was the very first rehearsal for the Imaginary Theatre Company’s holiday play, The Nutcracker.  It’s so exciting to be working on brand new work!  Commissioned by The Rep to write a new children’s play, playwright Sarah Brandt has constructed her own interpretation of Tchiakovsky’s famous ballet with original music and lyrics by composer Neal Richardson, and we are the lucky bunch that gets to bring it to life.

As a stage manager, I look forward to the first read-though of the play—the first time the actors dive into the script as a cast.  Everyone around the table made interesting character choices, including some very funny voices.  Our playwright, director, and set designer also explained their vision for the piece.  Witnessing my company members strut around like zany roosters and chickens during our first week on tour with Chanticleer! was one thing.  Now Ann, Lakeetha, Jordan, and Christian transform themselves into loving parents and godfather, a curious young girl, a nutcracker, and even a menacing mouse king!

Not only did we read though the script, but our musical director taught the cast all the songs and our choreographer had them on up their feet, teaching them the steps to the opening song.  I bet you the cast will sleep well tonight!

We will now spend the rest of our two-week rehearsal period staging the rest of the show, perfecting the songs, and reviewing the dance numbers.  Meanwhile, our costume, scene, and prop shops continue their hard work creating our very own “Kingdom of Sweets”.  Based on tonight’s presentations of the set/props design and the costume design, I can already tell you that audiences of all ages are in for a real treat!

Danny Maly
ITC Stage Manager

Rendering by Costume Designer Dorothy Marshall Englis

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