Fitness Arts Center to present “The Irish Nutcracker” on Sunday
Fitness Arts Center will present “The Irish Nutcracker” on Dec. 16 at 2 p.m. at Columbia High School in Huntsville.
“Our nutcracker is very unique. The entire production is Irish step dancing with Celtic music,” center owner and director Brandan Newman said.
The Huntsville area has never seen a production like this, Newman said. “We’re the first to do such a thing. Our storyline has changed to reflect Irish culture and folklore.” Leprechauns replace the mice, and the Irish Cream Fairy replaces the Sugar Plum Fairy.
Lead roles include Laura Oldfather (Nutcracker), Leeza Haddock (Claire), Stephanie Deaton (Mother), Caroline Oldfather (Fiona), Denean Summers (Granny), Christina Crowe (Santa), Ty Cannon (Jack In the Box), Merritt Zesinger (Raggedy Ann) and Catherine Henderson (Priest).
Their other appearances are Stephanie Deaton, butterfly; Caroline Oldfather, soldierette and dragon; Cannon, leprechaun and rainbow; and Zesinger, rose, leprechaun and rainbow.
Evil Little Leprechauns are Bella Welch, Caroline Frazier, Cassie Berry, Celina Hemphill, Lusiana LeVan and Madeline Schlaman.
Avery Beckham, Catherine Henderson, Lauren Zabel, Lainey Weirich and Lucy Weirch are Nurse Soldierettes. “The Irish Nutcracker” fairies are Erin Derrington, Claire Frazier, Mireia Hemphill and Rosa LeVan. Other dragon actors are Avery Beckham, Catherine Henderson, Lauren Zabel, Lainey Weirich and Lucy Weirch.
Peppermint Paddies are Aubrey Beckham, Bridget McDerby, Elizabeth Bishop, Hope Davidson and Rita Lin. Portraying Gypsies are Elizabeth Bishop, Hope Davidson, Lauren Zabel, Lainey Weirich and Lucy Weirch.
Rainbows in “The Irish Nutcracker” are Bella Welch, Cadi Kynard, Caroline Frazier, Cassie Berry, Celina Hemphill, Claire Deaton, Ella Deaton, Lusiana LeVan, Madeline Schlaman and Summer Kynard.
Butterflies are played by Aubrey Beckham, Avery Beckham, Bridget McDerby, Catherine Henderson, Elizabeth Bishop, Hope Davidson, Rita Lin and Lauren Zabel.
Roses of Tralee are Cassie Berry, Celina Hemphill and Madeline Schlaman. Bridget McDerby portrays the Irish Cream Fairy.
Advance tickets are $15 and available at FitnessArtsCenter.com. Tickets are $20 at the play. For more information, call 877-360-3690 or send email to info@fitnessartscenter.com.
