newjerseynewsroom.com

BY STUART DUNCAN

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

OFF BROADWAY REVIEW

“The Nutcracker and I,” which has just opened the holiday season at New Brunswick’s George Street Theatre, has been billed as a sequel to the immensely successful “Inspecting Carol.” But a better analogy might be “The Wizard of Oz.”: The evening is a mildly amusing satire of the famous ballet. Including seven strong performances, Tchaikovsky’s familiar music (with some highly unfamiliar twists.)

At a chaotic dress rehearsal for the local dance company’s annual production of The Nutcracker Ballet, the lead dancer is conked on the head with a prop Christmas tree—bringing new meaning to the old adage “break-a-leg.” When the pain killers kick in and visions of sugar plums dance in her head for real, we are off on a wild adventure to Snow Globe City with a life-size Nutcracker (of course) and the Sugar Rush Fairy in hot pursuit.

Under David Saint’s careful direction, plus wonderful work by set designer James Youmans and projection designer Steve Channon, the tale unfolds in beauty and finishes in a delightful snow storm gently wafting down on the audience. But the bite and insight that typified “Carol,” is never present here, nor would it fit this particular production.

Peter Scolari, already known to George Street audiences, not only for “Carol,” but also earlier this year in “The Fox on the Fairway,” returns to play no less than a half dozen roles, including the family doctor, a Hindu cabbie and George Balanchine (yes, the ballet director.) He has superb support from his half dozen colleagues, particularly Haley Carlucci and A.J. Shively. The former will remind you of Carol Lawrence (and, indeed, she just played Maria in “West Side Story,” on Broadway.) And the latter will allow you to believe that nutcrackers can really dance and sing. Late in the second act, when the pair sing “Love is Eternal, “you really believe.

There, is however, one problem which ruins the evening. The George Street sound system simply cannot handle both the music and the lyrics. The result is that most of Gerard Alessandrini’s words are garbled and incomprehensible. Since about half of the show involves the clever song parodies, the evening is a waste.

“The Nutcracker and I” continues at George Street Playhouse through Dec. 31. Please call the box office for reservations, performance dates and other information. (732) 246-7717.

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