Cast, crew ready for 20th edition of ‘The Nutcracker’

The curtain is set to rise for the 20th year of “The Nutcracker” at Theatre Dublin.

Cast and crew are excited about this year’s anniversary, said Robin Middleton, who returns for her 12th year as the executive director and choreographer of the show, which will be performed Saturday, Dec. 14, at 2 and 7 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 15 at 2 p.m. 

“Not many people can say that they’ve done something for 20 years, and I think this is a huge accomplishment,” Middleton said. “It has become more than just our town. We have kids come from all the way over as Macon and more to be a part of this.”

  “I think every scene either has a new prop or choreography,” Middleton said. “If you have seen it a lot before, there are going to be some different and fun things this year.” 

The few remaining tickets for all three shows can be bought by going to downtowndublinga.com

“We will sell out,” Middleton said. 

This year’s board includes Matt Hatchett (chairman), Lori Cherry (treasurer), Griffin Lovett (treasurer emeritus), Amanda Goodson, Kristy Farmer, Kim Hatchett, Kim Hobbs, Kathy Jones, Leigh Anne Lawrence, Sallie Lunzmann and Jared Middleton.

“Kim Hobbs and Kim Hatchett have been with us since the beginning,” Middleton said. “They are actually retiring from the board this year, and it has been a transition for us. They have been with us since day one, and I believe they are the only ones who have done that.” 

Auditions were held in August. Jenna Warren, who attends the Irish Gifted Academy, will star as Clara. 

“She has been great,” Middleton said. “She is really fun and a really good Clara. I’ve been real excited to watch her, and she’s having a real fun with the part.” 

Warren tried out for Clara and other parts, but was happy to get the part that will require her to be on stage for just about the entire show.

“I ran around the house screaming,” Warren said of finding out about her role. “I was really happy.”  

Emmie Davis, a homeschooler from Bleckley County, has been in “The Nutcracker” for eight years.

“Being in ‘The Nutcracker’ here is an amazing experience,” Davis said. “We are like family, and we look forward to seeing each other every year. I love the dancing and interactions with all of our friends. It’s a ton of fun.”

And even if a person had seen one or more of the 19 previous productions, there will be some differences in the 20th. 

Davis likes seeing new performers join “The Nutcracker” family.

“It’s so amazing watching them,” she said. “I always help with the younger kids, especially backstage. I’ve formed a bond with them and they’ll run up to me, and it’s so sweet.” 

This year she plays several roles, but she is excited about the opportunity to play the Snow Queen.

“It’s a big role,” Davis said. “She dances with the professional. She leads all of the snowflakes, and that kind of stuff. It’s incredible to perform. The stage lights are so bright that it’s hard to see anyone, but you know they are there.” 

Middleton has watched Davis grow up on the stage.

“She was Clara at one time,” the director said. “To go from Clara to Snow Queen is pretty amazing.” 

Deldric Blue, who goes to Hillcrest Elementary School, is in his first year performing in “The Nutcracker.” He will star as a soldier and “chopsticks.”

“I’ve been watching ‘The Nutcracker’ for eight years, so I finally decided to try out for it,” Blue said. “One of the main roles I wanted to be was a soldiers. Sometimes I want to be a rat because of the way they run out. I feel really good to be a soldier. I’ve met so many people who have helped me out.” 

Bailey Bothwell, a homeschooler from Dublin, has been performing in “The Nutcracker” for five years. Along with multiple other roles, she will be Bo Peep this year.

“I’m excited because this is my first time being Bo Peep, and you get to be kind of silly in that role,” Bothwell said. “And you have fun.” 

Bothwell enjoys performing at Theatre Dublin, which becomes a second home for her and the cast during the week leading up to the shows.

“It’s really fun to see the big audience and it’s usually sold out,” she said. “It’s fun to be back here with the cast.” 

Aubree Dial, who attends Trinity Christian School, has been in this production for six years.

“I’m surrounded by a bunch of people who are like family to me,” Dial said. “Being from a small town, it’s nice. I like my dances because they are really beautiful and can be breathtaking. I have fun doing this.” 

Imani Blue, a Perry High School student, makes the approximate hour drive to Dublin to perform in this show. She has been doing this for three years. This year she has five roles, including the candy cane lead.

“It’s really a bunch a tricks that the audience does not normally see,” Imani said. “I have one that I call a front whip, which is basically a front handspring with no hands. I do a lot of no-handed tricks.” 

She enjoys being in Dublin’s “Nutcracker.”

“My friends at school say that I seem much happier when I am doing ‘The Nutcracker,’” Imani said. “That drive here is worth it. ‘The Nutcracker’ is a magical thing to watch. You get to see all of the kids and see how much they’ve improved and what they are capable. It’s just a great experience overall.” 

Jaylee Waters, who goes to West Laurens Middle School, is in her second year in the production, playing multiple roles.

“I love that it has helped me come out of my shell,” Waters said. “It’s one of those shows where I can’t miss it. I watched it before joining. It’s refreshing to see friends that I don’t usually see the beginning part of the year. It gives me a lot of joy to see us come and enjoy ‘The Nutcracker.’ I feel like it takes so much ambitions to be here.” 

Jesse Middleton has been in “The Nutcracker” for 11 years. This will be his first year as the Rat King.

“This is just a great show,” he said. “I’ve always been fascinated with the Rat King. The Nutcracker is a good guy, and I’d rather be the bad guy. Nobody cheers on the Rat King.” 

He called it “fantastic,” when asked about having his mother as the director. When it comes to the 20th edition of “The Nutcracker,” he called it a production that will be, “special.”

“Twenty years is a long time and this one will be different,” Jesse said. “It’s not always the same every year.” 

Professional ballet dancer Raul Peinado of New York, who will return as the Snow King and the Cavalier. Unfortunately, professional ballet dancer Stacey Slichter of Atlanta, who has played the Sugar Plum Fairy in the past, will not be able to do so this year due to a torn meniscus. Erin Burt will play the part this year.

“(Slichter) is still helping us,” Middleton said. “She helped us with auditions and stuff like there. She’s not gone, but she won’t be dancing this year.”   

Caleb Middleton returns to star as the “Prince,” and he will also take on the role of the Nutcracker. Middleton said she was glad to have more men in this year’s show. 

“This is probably the most boys we have had since I’ve been here and that’s really exciting,” she said. “We hope they will grow with us and take some of these lead roles. I have surely enjoyed having them with us. They seemed to be having a great time, too. That’s been really nice.

“When it comes to the entire cast, this has been one of my fun years,” she added. “Everybody has just great attitudes and there have been a lot of laughs. There’s going to be great memories for the 20th year.” 

When cast members take their final bows at the end of the show Sunday afternoon, the curtain will fall on this year’s production. And after a little break, work on the 21st production will begin. After all, the curtain for it will rise in approximately 52 weeks.

“We hope to keep moving it forward and keep it going as long as we can,” Middleton said. “We are already set for 2025. With a show this size, we start planning for the next year not long after the curtain closes. It’s really a year-round thing for the board members.”