Do-It-Yourself Nutcracker

The audience did it themselves during Indian Boundary Park’s annual Do-It-Yourself Nutcracker, Saturday, December 5, 2015.

Adults, children, men, women, boys and girls numbering about 70 produced the Christmas ballet under the patient and inspired direction of Park Supervisor Phil Martini in the park’s Cultural Center. 

After the audience was seated, Phil instructed members to check under their chairs, where he earlier taped the names of the several roles in “Nutcracker.” Adults, children, toddlers -- good sports all -- embraced their chances for stardom. They donned appropriate costumes for Clara, the Prince, the Mouse King, Sugar Plum Fairy, mice, children, and Spanish, Arab, Chinese, Russian and flower dancers. 

Members of the IBP ballet and modern dance classes -- an accomplished troop of about 15 young women -- were joined by members of the 55-person audience as they danced, swayed, twirled and leaped to Tchaikovsky’s music over the 60-minute-long performance.

Unsure of the storyline, the audience members took stage direction from Phil, who danced the role of Uncle Drosselmeyer, as Clara’s birthday party unfolded, the Christmas tree was decorated, the dream started, and the Nutcracker was transformed into a handsome prince.