~ Philipsburg Cultural Centre Dec 2, 3, 8 & 9 ~
The Philipsburg Cultural Centre stage will come alive with the “feel good and eclectic” holiday performance of “The Chocolate Nutcracker Returns,” which premieres this Saturday, December 1, and continues with performances on Sunday, December 2, and the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, December 8 and 9.
The two Saturday performances start at 7:30pm and the two Sunday performances start at 4:00pm. The show is a production of INDISU Dance Theatre of St. Maarten.
The musical is based on the story of an aunt named Jenny, who returns from another of her adventures years later. Her niece Clara is gifted a chocolate nutcracker and is excited to receive dolls from all the countries her aunt visited on her last adventure. Once asleep, Clara is visited again by a dream princess who awakens Clara and her dolls and takes her on a journey to the countries that they are from, in search of her beloved dream prince, The Chocolate Nutcracker.
Richardson-Marlin said the performance will be “the definition of a feel good and eclectic holiday show.” “It showcases the music, dance and culture of the 11 countries Clara visits with the dream princess celebrating the diversity of the world we live in.”
Patrons to the show will be taken on an exciting and entertaining journey with the lead performers, to Paris, the Vatican, New Delhi, Hong Kong, Moscow, Nigeria, Havana, New Orleans, Los Angeles, New York City, Port of Spain, Trinidad, and returning home to St. Maarten, just in time for Christmas.
The Chocolate Nutcracker returns is choreographed and directed by Susha Hein and Richardson-Marlin and features guest choreographers Rochelle Muller, Kishana Vlaun, Naomi Adriana and Natorii Illidge.
Richardson-Marlin said INDISU Dance Theatre of St. Maarten was first introduced to the concept of The Chocolate Nutcracker after its first visit to Dance Excellence in Los Angeles, California, in 2012, and after having met Teacher Anindo Marshall of Debbie Allen’s School: “She exposed us to the beautiful urban version of the original Nutcracker Ballet, which is a much more modern and colourful take on the traditional holiday classic.”
A total of 72 dancers, ages five to 38-years old, will be performing in the show. Performers include INDISU official and co-director Richardson-Marlin, and INDISU teachers Illidge, Adriana, Vlaun, and senior company members Muller and Giovanni Webster. All the dancers are company members of INDISU: Baby Company, Jr. Company, Jr. Elite Company, Company and Senior Company - Nirvana.
The Chocolate Nutcracker Returns star dancers Drake Daboul as Clara; Ihndhira as the Dream Princess and Giovanni Webster as the Nutcracker.
The story is narrated by Richardson-Marlin’s mother Gabrielle Marlin.
“Audiences, young and old alike, will be able to enjoy their favourite genres of music and styles of dance. The costumes are equally as impressive, making the production one of our best yet,” the co-director explained.
Tickets for the must-see musical cost US $25 ($20 for children and students) and are available at INDISU studios in Cole Bay, and both Van Dorp and Executive Business Services locations. For more information, call 1 (721) 544-3633 or 526-6914.
