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It practically gallops!

Cracker Barrels

The last thing I want to do is “steal” the Nutcracker from my wife.  She loves Tchaikovsky’s ballet and watches different versions of it on TV. It’s always been “her thing” and she’s a little worried that it will become “my thing” now that I’ve had a comedic cameo with the Oak Ridge Civic Ballet Association. In reality, the reason I agreed to be in their Nutcracker was because I thought it would make my wife happy.

I admit that I have started paying attention to other productions. When my wife watches the Ovation Channel’s annual “Battle of the Nutcrackers” this week, I will watch with her. Last year, I avoided watching until she insisted that I look at the weird anatomical costumes in the Casse Noisette Circus version.

I wish there was a telecast of the Magic Theatre’s production of “Nutcrackers.” The San Antonio group has created a silly Nutcracker with characters based on classic comedians. For example, Drosselmeyer is played by a Groucho Marx impersonator. The Nutcracker is a Charlie Chaplin look-alike. I found a video clip that includes characters portraying Shirley Temple and Lucille Ball too.

December 14, 2011 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 2 Comments 

Dancin’ Fool

It took repeated viewings of a DVD but I finally figured out how to do the simple dance step that had been vexing me. The DVD was the 2008 performance of “The Nutcracker” by the Oak Ridge Civic Ballet Association. On Saturday morning, I programmed my DVD player to repeat a section of the party scene over and over again while I mimicked the dancers on the screen.

Heather Tang and Frank Murphy after Oak Ridge Civic Ballet Association's 2011 production of "The Nutcracker" Heather Tang, who played “The Governess,” had a look of surprise when I didn’t step on her foot as I had in most of the rehearsals.  I played “The Governor,” who arrives at the party and gets a little rambunctious. I may have played him a tad more rambunctiously than previous Governors. And by “a tad,” I mean “a lot.” I chose to have the Governor egg-on Fritz and the other boys when they wave mice at the party girls. After we toast and drink, I led Heather in an out-of-control waltz.

David Maccree, Bob McClure and Frank Murphy following Sunday performance of Oak Ridge Civic Ballet Association's production of "The Nutcracker" The roles of the Nutcracker Prince and Clara were each shared by a pair of dancers. David Maccree played the Russian soloist on Saturday night and the Nutcracker Prince on Sunday afternoon. Bob McClure did the opposite. On Saturday, Bob went to his Eagle Scout ceremony between our morning “encore” performance and the night show. Julianna Romanoski and Kylee Haskell split the role of Clara.

Katrina Quist, Frank Murphy and Tony Williams following Sunday performance of Oak Ridge Civic Ballet Association's production of "The Nutcracker" ORCBA’s artistic director Molly Koon Quist was in charge of the show. She was assisted by Sharon Nicklow-Cousins. Most of the scenes in “The Nutcracker” are perfect for young kids. In fact, many of the dancers are young kids who play mice, polchinelles, gingerbreads and other parts. The Arabian Coffee scene is a little different. Famous choreographer George Balanchine reportedly said the Arabian dance “gives the fathers something to look at.” I learned that tidbit from Molly’s husband, Brian Quist. Their daughter Katrina played the Arabian princess.

November 21, 2011 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 1 Comment 

Waltz and Schmaltz

The two professional dancers decided to arrive a day earlier than originally planned. Noel Dupuis and Melody Staples will perform this weekend in the Oak Ridge Civic Ballet Association’s production of “The Nutcracker.” They rehearsed with the company on Thursday and will do so again on Friday.

Frank Murphy and Heather Tang rehearse waltz for Oak Ridge Civic Ballet Association's production of "The Nutcracker" - photo by Alyshia Fields Heather Tang, Whitney Bryan, Brian Swail, Frank Murphy and Bob McClure rehearse pratfall for Oak Ridge Civic Ballet Association's production of "The Nutcracker" - photo by Alyshia Fields I rehearsed my steps in the “grandfather dance” and then practiced the waltz that leads into my pratfall. ORCBA member Alyshia Fields, who works in the wardrobe department, has been taking hundreds of pictures at the rehearsals. She shared a few with me, two of which are included here.

November 18, 2011 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 2 Comments 

Mouseketeers

Dog gets put in a box at rehearsal for Oak Ridge Civic Ballet Association's 2011 production of "The Nutcracker" Fight scene rehearsal for Oak Ridge Civic Ballet Association's 2011 production of "The Nutcracker" They use a real dog in the Oak Ridge Civic Ballet Association’s production of “The Nutcracker.” Herr Drosselmeyer gives it to Frau Stahlbaum as a Christmas gift before he gives Clara the nutcracker. The mice are not real. They are played by costumed children, some as young as four. Wednesday’s full-cast rehearsal was my first opportunity to see the little ones run out through the fireplace and grandfather clock. On Thursday and Friday we have dress rehearsals with the UT Chamber Orchestra.

I have a small role as a governor-general who can’t handle his liquor. The drinking bit is not included in the shortened “encore” show on Saturday morning. If you want to see my drunken pratfall, you’ll have to come on Saturday night or Sunday afternoon.

November 17, 2011 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 1 Comment 

Francisco Franco

Heather Tang gave me a homework assignment. She told me to watch a DVD copy of the Oak Ridge Civic Ballet Association’s 2008 production of “The Nutcracker.” I kept a close eye on a general who gets a little inebriated and waltzes wildly off stage. I will play that part in this year’s show on November 19 and 20.

It was especially helpful for me to see the set and props. At rehearsal on Sunday, I saw dancers pantomiming actions that I didn’t understand. Now I know that they will be dusting off the mantle before guests arrive.

Frank tries on costume at rehearsal for Oak Ridge Civic Ballet Association's production of "The Nutcracker" After we ran through the party scene a couple of times, I tried on several different costume jackets. Some looked like modern tuxedo jackets. Some were fitted for people smaller than me. We finally found one that fit me and looked right for the part.

November 8, 2011 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 4 Comments 

Cracker Hack

Frank tries on the wrong costume at rehearsal for Oak Ridge Civic Ballet Association's production of "The Nutcracker" This is not my Halloween costume. In fact, it’s not my costume at all. For a few minutes on Sunday, I thought I would be wearing it in the Oak Ridge Civic Ballet Association’s production of “The Nutcracker.” After I tried it on, I found out it belongs to the Mouse King and that I will have to find a different costume at next week’s rehearsal.

Two-and-a-half years ago, Heather Tang danced with Mark Nagi in Star 102.1’s Dancing with the Knoxville Stars. Last week she sent me a Facebook message asking if I would play a cameo role in this year’s ballet. In a bit of typecasting, I will be an elderly party guest who can’t handle his liquor, dances poorly and crashes into the host.

“The Nutcracker” will be performed at the Oak Ridge High School Performing Arts Center on Saturday, November 19 at 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. and on Sunday, November 20 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now.

October 31, 2011 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 1 Comment 

Judgment Days

WBIR’s Erin Donovan and I were the judges for a Lego building contest at the Tennessee Valley Fair on Saturday afternoon. We picked our favorites and awarded first, second and third place trophies to the winners. They had two rounds of individual competition and one round of group competition. The winning creations will be on display through the Fair’s final day on Sunday.

A week ago, I was one of the judges for a talent show at the Sevier County Fair. The top three performers were sent on to the Tennessee Valley Fair to perform tonight. Since I was already at the Fair for the Lego contest, I stayed to watch the talent contest from the audience. Of course I’m a little biased but I really thought that one of the Sevier winners (Emmaus, Triple Threat or David Middlebrooks) would place in the top four in the Knoxville contest. They didn’t. The winners were Katelyn Parker, Kayla Faver, C.N. Davis and Allison Balsley.

I would never have predicted that my favorite performance of the night would be by a clogger. Kayla Faver won second prize overall with her routine as a zombie clogger. She stayed in character as she walked on stage and again as she left. Because almost everything is on the Internet, it took mere milliseconds for me to find a YouTube video of Kayla performing the zombie routine last month at the Appalachian Fair.

September 17, 2011 | Filed Under Uncategorized | Comments Off 

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