The creation of a musical celebrating Chanukah started out as a small play to answer the “December Dilemma” of how to compete with the “other” holiday, and has grown into a full-fledged, Broadway-bound musical composed of eight stories that celebrate the miracle of the oil and the heroes who made it happen.
The show features the wonderfully silly sensibilities of the folklore of Chelm (a fictional town of fools in Poland) underscored by an invigorating Klezmer-ized orchestration of Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker Suite,” with original lyrics that celebrate Chanukah. The musical explores the strength of the Jewish people through stories of the Holocaust, Pogroms, the birth of modern Israel, the Maccabean revolt, as well as exploring the many icons and symbols of the holiday such as dreidels and latkes.
Eight talented triple-threat actors harmonize with operatic voices and kick up their heels with the joy of Jewish celebrations through humor and dance. With a genuine sense of wonder as the Chelmniks tell eight stories paying tribute to the holiday, we learn of Judah Maccabee’s triumphant saga and accounts of perseverance during the Holocaust, as well as the celebration of the first Chanukah in the new state of Israel. Add in dancing dreidels and singing sufganiot (jelly donuts), and Jews and non-Jews alike will delight in this original musical celebrating all things Chanukah, a holiday about good triumphing over evil and remembering that together our light shines more brightly and can overcome any darkness around us.
Written and directed with great insight and humor by Scott Evan Guggenheim, Shannon Guggenheim, and Stephen Guggenheim, the production features imaginative set design and gorgeously creative costumes by Julie Engelbrecht, evocative lighting designed by Derek Duarté, and pre-recorded orchestrations by Thomas Tomasello, all of which allow the actors to be delightfully silly while presenting an amazingly touching story.
The riotously comical cast includes (in alphabetical order) Jackson Davis (Yacob Schlemiel, the Farmer), Lynda DiVito (Rivka Schmuel, the Dairywoman), Shannon Guggenheim (Treitel Schlmazel, the Young Woman) Stephen Guggenheim (Gronam Schmegegi, the Mayor of Chelm), Susan Gundunas (Esther Schmegegi, the First Lady of Chelm with the most amazing voice), Jeremy Kreamer (Velvel Schnook, the Young Man), Benjamin Pither (Rabbi Motke Schmerel), and Krista Wigle (Yetta Schmendrick, the Bakeshop Owner). A special guest star will appear in the finale of each performance, appearing after just 15 minutes of rehearsal.
Be sure to arrive early enough to read through the Chanukah Glossary in the program to become familiar with many of the Yiddish terms used during the show! And then get ready to hear classic ‘Nutcracker” melodies rewritten with the most comical Chanukah lyrics you have ever heard. And be sure to take Bubbe and Zadie with you to celebrate the joy of the season with your entire family.
Guggenheim Entertainment presents THE MESHUGA NUTCRACKER! in the Gindi Auditorium at American Jewish University, located at 15600 Mulholland Drive in Los Angeles (Bel Air), in anticipation of its New York City premiere during the 2017 holiday season. Performances continue on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday at 7 p,m.; Wednesday and Sunday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and Saturdays at 8 p.m. through Jan. 1. Admission is $72 for adults and $63 for children, seniors, and students, with latkes and jelly donuts available at intermission; proceeds benefitting local charities. Tickets may be purchased online at www.themeshuganutcracker.com or by phone at 408-404-7711.
