It takes a certain audacity to include a song called “Let’s Ruin Christmas” in a holiday musical intended for young audiences.
As the lone ironic sentiment in Emerald City Theatre’s “A Nutcracker Christmas,” the tune’s jaded humor is probably lost on anyone under 8, which is too bad since it’s the one moment in the show that actually works.
A mishmash of stories that blends “The Nutcracker” and “Peter Pan,” “Christmas” is never quite sure of its purpose. Low-grade action-adventure launches young Fritz into an alternate universe where he and the Nutcracker soldier (who happens to be a girl) fight to defeat the dastardly Mouse King — the one who wants to ruin Christmas.
It’s all very Tiger Lily and Captain Hook, and, I’m guessing, more than a little confusing for tikes unfamiliar with the ballet’s trippy story line, let alone the “Peter Pan” allusions. The show loses steam around the 30-minute mark, at which point director Dado tries to compensate — literally — with fog and dry ice. The squirming audience didn’t seem impressed.
The pop-flavored score, by G. Riley Mills and Ralph Covert, is pleasant enough, particularly the bouncy Eastern European polka melody of “Let’s Ruin Christmas” and the grooving, rock ‘n’ roll “Welcome to Christmas Woods.”
In fact, the latter was so infectious, at last week’s opening performance a passel of youngsters were dancing in their seats — only to be scolded by a misguided theater staffer.
If kids can’t dance at a kids’ show, what’s the point?
The performances are adequate, but the show has a patronizing ring to it, as if audiences will only respond to wide-eyed, exaggerated performances. Andy Rothenberg, as the Mouse King, will have none of that. His boffo performance — a smug, goofy rapscallion hipster dude — is a true highlight in what is just a so-so show.
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“A Nutcracker Christmas”
When: Through Dec. 31
Where: Apollo Theater, 2540 N. Lincoln Ave.
Running time: 1 hour, 5 minutes
Tickets: $9-$12 at 773-935-6100
