Historical November 1986 report or notice. Original dates, prices and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Santa Claus is coming to town sooner than you think — and this year, he has arranged for you to receive one of your gifts ahead of time! Come kindle the holiday fires at Mid America Dance Company’s production of The Madcracker, the hilarious show that captivated standing-room-only audiences at its premiere last year.
With tongue-in-cheek and tradition tucked even further out of sight, The Madcracker is a madcap, razzle-dazzle stocking stuffer, a pungently witty holiday bonbon for people of taste!
The Madcracker will be presented at Edi son Theatre on campus of Washington University at 8 p.m. Nov. 28; 2 and 8 p.m. Nov. 29; 2 and 8 p.m. Nov. 30. Tickets are $10, 12.50, 15.00.
All seats are reserved.
For reservations (or tickets), call 889-6543 or stop by the box office.
The show begins in Clara’s condo, just prior to the lady’s gala holiday soiree. Clara is a wealthy divorcee who is courted by Dross L. Meyer, an enigmatic city alderman.
The Madcracker is Dross’ dim-witted but macho nephew who ignites the ever-so-slightly bored Clara.
In the second act, Clara dreams that she and Dross and The Madcracker are transported to The Land of the Entertainments, something of an antiquarian theme park. There, the trio meets the ultimate Sugar Plum Fairy and her bizarre entourage, which includes swains, loves, zephyrs, and a tap dancing nymph named Voluptua.
Her Plumness is stricken with lust at first sight, and attempts to woo away The Madcracker from Clara. “The Madcracker is a delight from beginning to end!” declared a reviewer in the St. Louis Post Dispatch. More than 35 dances — modern, ballet, Flamenco, jazz, some immodest tap, and esoteric combinations of same — were choreographed for The Madcracker. Among the dances are “The Dance of the Feather Dusters,” “The Dance of the Houseplants,” “The Libido Trio,” “The Dance of the Horrible Present,” and “The Klutz Polka.” In addition to members of MADCO’s core company, the cast of The Madcracker will include a local police officer and two body builders.
No dance experience is necessary.
If you’re interested in any of the three roles, call Elizabeth Webb at 664-2631. MADCO, a professional touring dance company, was named an honor company in the Mid-States Region of the National Association for Regional Ballet. Founded in 1976, the St. Louis-based company has performed throughout the Midwest and at the Riverside Festival in New York. Artistic director Ross Winter wrote the waggish scenario for The Madcracker.
He co-founded the company and has served as artistic director for MADCO’s 10-year history. Winter’s award-winning choreography is noted for its wit and architectural structure, and MADCO is noted for its technical excellence. Don’t let the holiday season catch you scowling over just a stocking full of sticks and coal — play Santa yourself with the hottest tickets in town — to The Madcracker! Financial assistance for this production of The Madcracker has been provided by St. Louis Arts and Education Council; Regional Arts Commission and Missouri Arts Council.
For information, call 664-2631.
Original photograph caption
MADCRACKER Dancers. The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, November 1986, page 5. Individual performers and photographer not identified in source.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, November 1986.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1986_11.pdf, printed page(s) 5; PDF page(s) 5.
