The culmination of the Oswego Players 88th season is the beloved Christmas classic “Nutcracker”, adapted by June Walker Rogers and directed by Jennifer Hitchcock. Performance times and dates are 7:30pm on Friday, December 4th and 11th, and 2pm on Saturdays and Sundays December 5th, 6th, 12th and 13th at the Frances Marion Brown Theater in Fort Ontario Park.
At a Christmas Eve party, Clara’s godfather presents her with an amazing Nutcracker in the form of a wooden soldier. Too excited to sleep, she suddenly finds the Nutcracker brought to life. He tells her he is a prince under the wicked enchantment of the Mouse King, and she joins him in a series of adventures in strange lands as he seeks to regain his throne. When she wakes, she finds the Nutcracker gone. Was it a dream or not?
Hitchcock described a tough selection process this year. “There was a mix of kids, some with previous experience playing roles along with some first timers who demonstrated real talent, which made finalizing the cast more challenging,” she said. “However, I am thrilled with the cast we have, and I know the kids are all really excited as we start the rehearsal process.”
One of the elements Hitchcock most enjoys in directing kids shows is watching children develop over the years. “It was a real pleasure for me to cast Charlotte Gilkey in the lead role of Clara,” she said. “Charlotte has auditioned almost every year for a while now and seeing her confidence and ability develop is so heart-warming. I know she is ready for this.” Charlotte, who is in third grade, first appeared with the Oswego Players in “Peter Pan” in 2023. This is now her fourth show and the first where she plays a lead role. She enjoys reading, soccer, performing on stage, and playing with her best friend Leo (her dog).
Joining Charlotte are Alex Wallace as her brother Frank, Craig Gilkey as her father, Chloë Hill as her mother, Kaleigh Hartle as her Aunt Harriet, Reuben Wheat as Harriet’s son Mickey and Gene Stone as Godfather Dross. The night-time characters are headed by Meagan Corbett as the Nutcracker; Parker Nesbitt, Ella King, Averyanna Wilson and Charlie Thompson as the four Mice; Carleigh Gilkey, Charlotte Hitchcock and Camilla Deghan as the three Snowflakes; Jemma Sawyer and Parker Nesbitt as the Candy Canes; Ella King and Irie Shue as the dancers Coffee and Tea; Molly Kane as Daisy; Roslyn Walker as Rose; Jayda Abare as Bonbon; Raylyn Abare as Prince; Abraham Patrick as Owl Clock; Jemma Sawyer, Raylyn Abare, Jana Lorenz and Jiyana Chetney as the Toy Soldiers; Juniper Briggs as the Mouse King; Rose Snow as the Snow Queen; Jana Lorenz as the Sugar Plum Fairy; Adeline Walker as Krakatuk; and Jiyana Chetney as Ned.
Performance times and dates are 7:30pm on Friday, December 4th and 11th, and 2pm on Saturdays and Sundays December 5th, 6th, 12th and 13th. 18th. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for seniors/students and can be secured through oswegoplayers.org or by calling the box office on (315) 343-5138.
“The Nutcracker” is presented by special arrangement with The Dramatic Publishing Company of Woodstock, Illinois.
Some of the cast of the Oswego Players’ “Nutcracker”. Front (L to R): Charlotte Hitchcock, Carleigh Gilkey. Center (L to R): Jemma Sawyer, Charlotte Gilkey, Ella King, Jana Lorenz. Back (L to R): Abraham Patrick, Averyanna Wilson, Meagan Corbett, Juniper Briggs, Chloe Hill, Alex Wallace, Rose Snow, Charlie Thompson