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‘Nutcracker’ adds acting to the mix

Jaylin Nall and Joshua Gehrs rehearse Wednesday, Dec. 9, for a production of the Nutcracker in the Monroe High School auditorium. The Middletown Performing Arts Academy and the Academy of Dance Arts in Middletown are collaborating to stage the production Friday through Sunday in Monroe. See photos from rehearsal online.

Staff photo by Apryl Pilolli Jaylin Nall and Joshua Gehrs rehearse Wednesday, Dec. 9, for a production of the Nutcracker in the Monroe High School auditorium. The Middletown Performing Arts Academy and the Academy of Dance Arts in Middletown are collaborating to stage the production Friday through Sunday in Monroe. See photos from rehearsal online.

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By Eric Robinette, Staff Writer 10:39 PM Wednesday, December 9, 2009

MONROE — Productions of “The Nutcracker” run as thick as boughs of holly this time of year, but the one that will play this weekend in Monroe is different from most others.

This “Nutcracker” is a collaboration between the Middletown Performing Arts Academy and the MIddletown-based Academy of Dance Arts. “The Nutcracker” is usually a strict ballet, but the version playing at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, through Sunday, Dec. 13, at Monroe Jr./Sr. High School features 27 child actors and 36 dancers.

“This is a wonderful Christmas story, and we thought it would be fun to tell the story through drama and dance,” said Nina Markle, the director of the Performing Arts Academy.

“It’s not just two hours of ballet,” said Danita Scoggins, the choreographer of the show.

What makes “The Nutcracker” a challenge for the dancer is “the timing. The footwork is really fast and the spacing is tricky,” said Elise Erhart of Middletown.

“Practice makes perfect,” added Hannah Miebers, also of Middletown.

The kids on the dramatic side are finding out the same holds true for them.

“You have to become what the character is and so if you break character, it’s not going to be the same,” said Norah Ash of Middletown, who shows versatility be playing a mouse, a toy, and even a piece of taffy.

Jaylin Nall of Monroe, who plays Marie, the girl who might have dreamed the whole story.

“There are a lot of fun costumes and lots of props. You don’t usually get to work with props in other shows,” she said.

Another of the actors, Jon Cummins of Middletown, said, “I like the scene with all the candy. It makes me a lot happier to think of candy.”

Tickets are $12 and can be ordered by calling (513) 594-7242.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2836 or erobinette@coxohio.com.