'Wutcracker' ballet spoof set to open at WWU Dec. 15

The Wutcracker Ballet, a hilarious spoof on the famous Christmas ballet, is a musical parody will have audiences rolling in the aisles singing wacky lyrics long after the curtain falls. Directed by Drue Robinson, an adjunct professor in Western Washington University's Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies, the ballet includes performances by Theatre Department chair Deb Currier and Humanities instructor Doug Banner. This year's production also boasts the talents of local politicians Dan Pike and Pete Kremen and an intergenerational community cast spanning the ages of 7 to 70.

In this parody, the Rat King is winning. The enchanted forest, now quite disenchanted, has been under his rule for years. Sugar and her little sugar plums have been caramelized into “Sugah” and the “Booger Flung Scaries.” “Ice” and her cool gang of rappers have ousted the Snow Queen, and Uncle Doppleganger is up to his eyeballs in debt. Through magic you just have to see to believe, Clara, with the help of her cousins and a host of others they meet along the way, set out to save the day! Can Clara defeat the Rat King? You’ll just have to come see the show to find out!

The show takes place at the WWU Performing Arts Center Dec. 15 to 18. Times are 7 p.m. on the first three days and a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday. Tickers are $12, available at www.tickets.wwu.edu, Village Books and the Community Food Co-Op. Tickets will be $15 at the door on the day of the show.

For more information, visit www.bellinghamchildrenstheatre.com or call (360) 734-9999.