Christmas plays take the stage

Anyone needing a boost of Christmas spirit will find it on stage at two area productions starting Nov. 30.

North Pointe Ballet will perform “The Nutcracker” at the Lorain Palace Theater, 617 Broadway.

The story of the nutcracker prince has become a holiday classic with a score by the composer Pytor Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

Lorain County Metro Parks’ French Creek Theatre will stage “The Gifts of the Magi,” a musical based on the classic short story by American author O. Henry.

This week, casts of both shows had final rehearsals to put their finishing touches on the productions.

“The Nutcracker” is the second show at the Palace for North Pointe Ballet.

In the spring, the company presented “Peter Pan.”

That show was an audience hit that also inspired more tryouts for the ballet company, said North Pointe Ballet Artistic Director Janet Dziak.

More than 100 dancers auditioned and the cast is so large, the group has split to have two shows, Dziak said.

North Pointe Ballet also will perform “The Nutcracker” at the performing arts center of Magnificat High School in Rocky River.

“I was not anticipating that much turnout,” Dziak said.

The Lorain cast is about 80 dancers representing 12 dance schools from around the area.

“Most of the kids in this cast reside somewhere in Lorain County,” Dziak said.

Dancers had the option to choose to audition for the Lorain cast, the Rocky River cast or both and they were selected partly based on where they live, Dziak said.

This is the third production of “The Nutcracker” for the company.

“It is really Clara’s journey to her fantasy dreamland,” Dziak said about the plot. “It’s very colorful.”

The show is more than just a dance recital and anyone unfamiliar with the story will be able to follow along because the production includes live narration through a character, Dziak said.

There also will be a “sensory friendly” show Dec. 1 with features for children or adults with special needs.

There also will be a partnership with the Murray Ridge Center for dancers to gain a performing experience, Dziak said.

“The Gifts of the Magi” had a five-week rehearsal process, said Brian McNally, cultural arts programmer for the Metro Parks. The French Creek Theatre is at the French Creek Nature Center, 4530 Colorado Ave. in Sheffield Village.

While many theater companies go big for the holiday season, French Creek Theatre decided to keep it simple, McNally said.

“This year, we decided to scale down,” he said. “It’s a very simple set but a very effective set. It’s a small cast. But at the same time, it’s a very talented cast as well.”

A smaller show lets the company breathe easier during the holiday season, concentrating on the performance but not worrying about huge production features, McNally said.

“We trust the story itself will bring the people into the theater,” he said.

“Gifts” is based on

short story that has become a classic of American literature.

The play remains true to the story but has added fitting music and songs, McNally said.

The production is family friendly and appropriate for all ages, but it does not have large, colorful costumes, so young children may not follow it closely.