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that has helped us achieve so much through the years.” MMB’s earliest
performances of “The Nutcracker” were housed at the Madison County
Cultural Center in the gymnatorium, where MMB hosted its popular
Tea Party Performances. These seated the audience at tables with
delectable refreshments to enjoy throughout the show. This formula
proved extremely popular with audiences, and families returned year
after year. In 2010, MMB moved its annual performances to the
newly constructed Jackson Academy Performing Arts Center, which
allowed the production to grow in numerous ways. The 800-seat theater
allowed for larger audiences, and the bigger stage, professional lighting
system, and full fly-loft allowed for the technical aspects of the show to
grow. “The JA Performing Arts Center has become our performing
home, and our show has really flourished in our time there. The JA staff
has been wonderful to work with, and the central location and size
of the theater seems to really appeal to our audiences,” says Artistic
Associate Crystal Skelton.
One Tradition Leads to Another
The move to JA dramatically changed the Nutcracker MMB experience.
Whereas attendees previously had a combined experience at the Tea
Party Performances, watching the show while munching on gingerbread
men and hot cocoa, at JA, the performance and the tea party
would be separate events. MMB began hosting “The Nutcracker Sweet
Tea Party” following its matinee performances, and transformed the
JA cafeteria into a holiday wonderland with festive decorations and
delectable treats for patrons. These proved highly successful and sold
out several times. In recent years, MMB has changed the tea party
concept to the Land of Sweets Tour, which also follows the matinee
performances, while offering young attendees the chance to visit with
the dancers, see costumes and sets up-close, collect Nutcracker souvenirs,
have their individual Land of Sweet passport stamped…and still enjoy
cookies and hot cocoa! “The Land of Sweets Tour has become a real
hit with our attendees,” says Skelton. “We have a wonderful team of
talented volunteers who have seen this idea through from inception to
implementation, and it is truly a magical event to experience. The way
young eyes light up when they see the Sugar Plum Fairy up close and
personal is unforgettable.”
Keeping It Fresh
Producing the Nutcracker is a huge undertaking. When Beasley
choreographed her first Nutcracker for MMB, she had 50 dancers.
The current cast boasts over 150 dancers. MMB’s production of The
Nutcracker has evolved in several other ways besides the number of
dancers over the years. From costume upgrades to new sets and
props, it’s been important to the organization to keep the production
from becoming as stale as yesterday’s (ginger)bread. This year’s 30th
anniversary production will feature new choreography in the battle
scene between the Nutcracker and the Mouse King, as well as a new
version of the Arabian divertissement in the Kingdom of the Sweets.
A new growing Christmas tree prop will also tower over the mice and
soldiers in the iconic battle scene. “The ability to purchase or create new
sets and props every year is due in large part to the generous support
we receive from sponsors and donors, as well as the loyalty of our paying
audience. We are truly grateful to all of our supporters whose financial
contributions have allowed us to grow over the years,” says MMB Executive
Director Amanda Kibble.
54 • NOVEMBER 2023