Marriott young audience ‘Nutcracker’ good for all ages

A charming and fun adaptation of 'The Nutcracker’ is at Marriott Theatre now through Dec. 20, 2016. As part of Marriott’s Theatre for Young Audiences series, the Mouse King is comic rather than scary but with deft direction and choreography by Matt Raftery, the show will delight all ages.

In her dream on Christmas Eve, the Nutcracker is part of a trio that includes Marie’s toy soldier (Alejandro Fonseca) and her doll, Clara (Lauren Blane). The four of them set out to find the Sugar Plum Fairy (Rashada Dawan) because the Nutcracker wants to be turned into a human boy. On the way, they have to get back the Nutcracker’s magic crown from the Mouse King who has taken it.

The Marriott show is a musical with good dance numbers and not the ballet. Its delightful dances performed to segments of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite should captivate even restless youngsters. The production features added music and lyrics by Marc Robin.