Chattanooga, TN --- The Nutcracker Christmas Carol returns to Chattanooga State for two weekends opening Friday, December 7 at 7:30. An annual offering by the Chattanooga State Repertory Theatre, the original musical has been deemed "a holiday classic", “innovative”, “a hoot”, “original and captivating” and “phenomenal” by reviewers.  The Nutcracker Christmas Carol combines all the great Christmas stories into a holiday musical for the whole family.

Author Rex Knowles explains how the musical came to be. “I asked myself this question: what if I found in the back room of the British Library a first draft of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol and within those pages were the seeds of every Christmas story we know today?”  So he started writing his first draft of The Nutcracker Christmas Carol.  “I started with A Christmas Carol and The Nutcracker. I had so much fun combining the two that I added snippets from other stories – It’s a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34^th Street, The Gift of the Magi, and The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.”

Director and composer Sherry Landrum continues, “We created the piece as a lighthearted spoof and gave Charles Dickens credit for all of it. But as we worked, we realized how much all Christmas stories owe to A Christmas Carol - Dickens’ great story of human transformation and redemption.  The theme of Scrooge, the penurious tyrant and his worker Bob Cratchit, the thoroughly good human being, resonates throughout all the stories.  The Grinch steals Christmas from Whoville. Mr. Potter takes Bedford Falls from George Bailey.  Fred Gailey fights the psychologist, Mr. Shelhamer, to protect the name of Santa Clause.  The innocence of childhood in the archetype of Tiny Tim runs through all as well in the characters of Little Cindy-Lou Who, George Bailey’s children, and young Susan Walker. It’s A Wonderful Life even brings in a ghost, Clarence Oddbody, who gives George Bailey the chance to see the future and realize that goodness is its own reward.”

Will Ebenezer Scrooge save the ballet?  Will critics acknowledge the genius of Charles Dickens?  Will Tiny Tim's dream come true? Will Fritz get a Red Ryder carbine action BB gun?  Will Bob Cratchit get to spend Christmas at home? These questions will be answered in one hilarious, heartfelt hour. 

Knowles, who wrote the book and the lyrics, joined with Landrum and Allan Ledford to collaborate on the music.  Together they created ten original Christmas songs – ranging in style from the humorous “I’m Gettin’ Everything for Christmas” to the heart-warming “My Christmas Dream.” 

The Nutcracker Christmas Carol was written by Rex Knowles with music by Sherry Landrum, Allan Ledford, and Knowles. Landrum directs. Lindsay Fussell is the choreographer. Allan Ledford is Musical Director. The entire cast is comprised of Chattanooga State faculty,  staff, students and former students. Member s the cast include Jeffrey Parker as Charles Dickens, Rex Knowles as Ebenezer Scrooge, John Thomas Cecil in the dual roles of Bob Cratchit and the wealthy Dr. Stahlbaum, Maria Sager in the dual roles of Caroline Cratchit and Clara Stahlbaum, and Eric Phillips as both Tiny-Tim and Fritz Stahlbaum. Cast members include Jennifer Arbogast, Bobby Burkich, Bridgett Bryant, Chris Defore, L-Shanté Faunteroy, Stan Furlow, Lindsay Fussell, Savannah Mazda, Mariah Rinkel, Brenda Schwab, Jennifer Weatherspoon, Jeremy Wilkins, and Eric "Red" Wyatt.

The Nutcracker Christmas Carol

Chattanooga State Humanities Theatre

December 7, 8 & 9 and December 14, 15 & 16. Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.

Sundays at 2:30 p.m.

Free for Chattanooga State faculty, staff & students with ID. All others $10 for adults and $5 for children

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