Nightmare Before The Nutcracker - A Gothic Christmas Tale
The premiere performance of Nightmare Before the Nutcracker is happening at Vancouver's own Rio Theatre on December 5 and 12. Meant as an alternative, Gothic take on the Christmas classic, this performance features a mash-up of music, burlesque, circus and Tim Burton characters. For adults only.
Written by Chris Murdoch, the script features characters from The Nutcracker as well as Tim Burton films such as A Nightmare Before Christmas, Edward Scissorhands, Beetlejuice and Mars Attacks! It tells the story of young Clara at Christmas who finds herself entering a mystical world where her Nutcracker Prince is none other than Edward Scissorhands himself. Welcome to Burtontown, everyone!
The show features contrasting music by Tchaikovsky and Danny Elfman which has been arranged for an eight-piece live band by Vancouver musician and vocalist Red Heartbreaker. Her work is solid and the band sounds great. It's anchored by co-producer and guitarist Blue Morris (also known for his past shows Tarantino Burlesque and Beatles Burlesque).
In addition to the live band, we are treated to the stylings of local burlesque artists from Screaming Chicken including Melody Mangler, Shea DeVille and Voodoo Pixie. These burlesque performers embody several Burton characters, bringing a sexy Halloween vibe to the wholesome Christmas season. All this burlesque action is set off by circus acts (note that scriptwriter Chris Murdoch is also known as a circus performer). There is an excellent juggling sequence in the second half and several stunning acrobatic feats - most performed in strangely surreal costumes.
Instead of a traditional play, Nightmare Before the Nutcracker is more of a set of scenes strung together. The throughline is Clara's quest to understand why she is here in this mystical world and what she should do next. Her naive approach to this endeavor is supported by Edward Scissorhands who is not terribly verbal, nor does he seem to know much about what's really going on in Burtontown. Along the way, we meet various characters from Tim Burton films who either help or hinder our young heroine.
There is certainly some real talent onstage and charismatic performances (thank you Betelgeuse!). Yet the overall tone is that of an amateur theatrical (which is a complicated observation because it feels like this may indeed have been partially / wholly intended). As a viewer, it appeared that some of the show's challenges are due to the script itself and others to the staging.The pace of the show lags in spots, the transitions are rough and the sound actually cut out just before the grand finale (necessitating a certain amount of audience patience and onstage improvisation).
In closing, the show does indeed have a fair bit of charm and wit. Visually, the use of the Rio's screen to add set elements is quite effective. Since it is a parody, I strongly suspect that your own personal affinity for the Tim Burton universe will greatly affect your overall enjoyment of the show. And it delivers on its promise - a true alternative to your traditional Christmas show.
One remaining performance at the Rio Theatre on December 12.