Cast of Steubenville nutcracker musical sequel announced
STEUBENVILLE -- As the holiday season draws near, Steubenville's Wooden Heart Follies theater troupe has selected its cast and started rehearsals for its third-annual production of its original musical. And this time it's a new play, a sequel called "The Wooden Boy."
The venue and the dates have changed for this year's production. Instead of Sunday-only performances, the show will run two successive Saturdays and Sundays -- Dec. 1-2 and 8-9.-- at 4 p.m. at the Sycamore Center, 301 North Fourth St.
For the past two years, in conjunction with Steubenville's Nutcracker Village, the group has presented a musical comedy that brings the nutcrackers to life on stage with the music of Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker Suite". The 2018 production once again will be sponsored by Franciscan University of Steubenville.
Last year's show was a repeat of the first, but this year is a sequel, picking up where the first one left off. In the first play, the Mad Scientist threatened to turn all of Steubenville into wood, but was stopped by St. Nicholas and by the kindness of other nutcrackers. In this year's sequel, the Scientist is horrified to learn that he actually did turn an unfortunate human boy into wood, and must find a way to turn him back.
The cast features some new talent, but six familiar faces will be returning. Dustin Heavilin, who is also assistant director for the production, returns as the Scientist, Barry M. Chemicals. He will also double as the mysterious Buccaneer who wants to take the Wooden Boy away from Steubenville.
Nicole Janosco, a three-year veteran of Wooden Hearts, returns as Adelaide the Nutcracker School Teacher.
Martin Watjen, who appeared in 2016 as Soldier Mark, will be St. Nicholas, who once again attempts to bring out the best (and keep out the worst) in the other nutcrackers.
Jenna Johnson, seen last year as Artopoios the Baker, will introduce a new nutcracker this year: Peggy Carnegie, the librarian. The Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County (including the Carnegie Library after which Peggy is named) is sponsoring the interactive portion of this play -- a series of clues which the audience -- particularly the children -- are encouraged to solve.
John Holmes (also the director), seen for two years as Patrolman Holiday, will be Gepetto this year. Von Holmes, who may be remembered as the Narrator in the first two seasons, will be heard but not seen as the Voice of Pinocchio.
Gemma Nelson, who was last year's Clara, will be playing Hairdresser Sue.
Newcomers include Gabe Nelson as Sherlock Holmes, Tara Orsay as the crotchety Nurse Florence and Dominic Weiss as the title character, Woody the Wooden Boy.
The fabricator at Nelson Woodcrafts, Brodie Stutzmann, who made all the figures in the Steubenville Nutcracker Village, will make a brief appearance as himself.
Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for students; children under 6 are free. Tickets will be available at the door or in advance at the Visitors Center at Fort Steuben, or online at https://woodenheartfollies.brownpapertickets.com.
The Nutcracker Village and Advent Market at Historic Fort Steuben continues daily through Jan. 5.