American Samoa Community College

Caption:ASCC dance and drama instructor Carmela Gallace (middle row, third right) and members of "The Nutcracker" cast take a break from rehearsals. No, the guns and swords are not real! (Photo: J. Kneubuhl)

ASCC to Stage Territory's First-Ever Performance of "The Nutcracker"

November 23, 2006

James Kneubuhl, ASCC Press Officer

After several days of asking around, no one this writer inquired with could recall a production of “The Nutcracker” having ever taken place in the Territory. Conversely, Carmela Gallace, the drama and dance instructor at the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) reckons that at any given time, you can find at least eight productions of “The Nutcracker” underway in her hometown of Tampa Bay, FL. “I decided to put on ‘The Nutcracker’ this semester because I thought American Samoa should finally have its own,” she says. A semester’s worth of rehearsal, staging preparation and costume design by Gallace, Art instructor Regina Meredith and their students will culminate in two performances of “The Nutcracker” on Thursday, November 30th and Friday, December 1st at 7 p.m. in the ASCC auditorium.

Asked what accounts for the perennial appeal of “The Nutcracker,” Gallace pointed out several factors which give the musical production its enduring quality as well as its educational value. “First, the students learn about the music of Tchaikovsky. With this musical score, the students gain a deeper understanding of music and its different time signatures. Tchaikovsky uses much more subtle rhythms than what most people usually hear, sometimes in very advanced time signatures like 3/4 or 6/8. Then we have the diversity of performance styles. This production allows for the exposure of the students and community to a wide array of theatrical and dance styles like pantomime” (acting through gestures and not words - commonly used in the 17th-19th centuries). Gallace explained that ‘The Nutcracker’ utilizes a movement vocabulary of its own, incorporating character dance (using movements to characterize), ethnic/folk dance (such as the Spanish bolero style), Arabian, Chinese (based on traditional folk and martial arts with a Chinese dragon), Russian Cossack, the waltz, a march, a polka, and other social dances from European "high society" of the 17th-19th centuries (modeled off of baroque styles), advanced partnering work (called pas de deux), a stage battle with swords and rifles, acrobatics, and finally a couple of elements of classical ballet.

“The Nutcracker” combines all of these elements to dramatize a European folk tale involving Christmas festivities, toys that come to life, a wonderland ruled by the Sugar Plum Fairy, evil rats with magical powers, and the first stirrings of love in the life of a young woman leaving girlhood behind. “The plot combines action, magic and romance,” says Gallace. “This story could take place in the mind of any child on Christmas morning, or in the dreams of a young girl hoping for true love.” The supernatural plays a significant role in this tale of a young man transformed into a nutcracker doll by the evil Queen Rat, in revenge for his uncle having invented the perfect rat trap. To return to human form, the nutcracker doll must accomplish two tasks: first, defeat the King Rat in battle, and second, win the love of a young woman. The uncle sets up a situation where the confrontation between the nutcracker doll and the rats can take place by bringing gifts of food and toys to the home of a wealthy family with an eligible daughter on Christmas Eve.

With its diverse array of dance pieces and elaborate staging requirements, preparation for “The Nutcracker” has demanded a major investment of time and effort for all involved. “We’ve held rehearsals six days a week since the end of August,” says Gallace, who held four separate auditions to accommodate the amount of people who wanted to participate. “The number of people working on this production goes into the hundreds when you tally up all the performers, art designers, and technical crew members,” says Gallace. “The production calls for hundreds of costumes and props, as well as three entire set changes. I give much of the credit for making this all possible to Regina Meredith and her art students. Thanks to their huge effort, our props will include a Christmas tree that grows, a throne fit for a king, a grandfather clock, swords, rifles, soldiers’ helmets, Nutcracker and King Rat costumes, masks, a Chinese dragon, and much, much more. The public will really need to see this to believe it!” Music instructor Namulauulu Dr. Paul Pouesi will also contribute to the production. To begin each show, the Stage Band, Concert and Chamber Choirs will perform together under the direction of Dr. Pouesi.

Can the Nutcracker defeat King Rat and regain his human form? To find out, and to witness a truly awesome production by a cast and crew of hundreds, bring your whole family to “The Nutcracker” on Thursday, November 30th or Friday, December 1st, at ASCC. Tickets, available at the door, will cost $5 for general admission, and $3 for ASCC students with their ID. Special VIP tickets cost $10, and will entitle the holder to priority seating and a soft drink.

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