By Doug Litwin–
It was nearly a year ago in January 2023 when the creative team at the San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band (SFLGFB) sat down to develop a concept for the 2023 Dance-Along Nutcracker®. Even though the 2022 show had been presented less than a month earlier, it was time to once again develop a unique theme for this San Francisco holiday favorite. It would be so much easier for the Official Band of San Francisco to present the same Nutcracker show every year—just like most performing groups do—but not for these intrepid volunteers. Sure, the music from Tchaikovsky’s beloved The Nutcracker ballet is featured in the show every year, but each show is wrapped in a completely different creative theme, and 2023 is no exception. San Francisco’s audiences like to be kept on their toes (literally) and expect nothing less!
It’s a Real ‘Nutmare’
In this year’s show, The Nutmare Before Christmas, Clara & Fritz sneak away from the December familiarity of Christmas Town to investigate the strange world of Halloween Town, encouraged by a visit from their uncle. There, they meet some spooky denizens and learn some important life lessons along the way! As always, the result is a fun-filled original musical production brimming with wit, artistry, and ingenuity. When the “Dance Along!” sign flashes, the audience is invited to get out of their seats and sashay around the theater. Even audience members who don’t want to dance have a blast!
Brandon Moss, the President of the Band and Chair of the Creative Development committee behind this year’s show, had this to say regarding the importance of the Dance-Along Nutcracker: “This show encompasses the heart of the SFLGFB. It introduces young audiences to the joy and community of live music, tells a story that embodies queer identity, and brings together both straight and queer families, as well as folks from across our whole community. There’s a real sense of togetherness at the performances, and it’s always a joy to watch the faces of first-time band members and audiences as they take in the spectacle!”
Dancing Along Since 1985
Although the Dance-Along Nutcracker has been around since 1985, many first-timers discover it every year. Even those who’ve attended the show many times come back since no two shows are the same. In past years, the show has mashed up the traditional Nutcracker story with such themes as superheroes, pirates, summer of love, outer space, cowboys, Hollywood, The Wizard of Oz, fairytales, Frosty the Snowman (in Hawaii, no less), The Polar Express, I Love Lucy, and more.
For more than ten years, the creative mind behind many of those wacky themes was band member and former San Francisco Bay Times columnist Heidi Beeler. More recently, Heidi has passed the Sugar Plum Fairy Wand onto a team of other Band members, showcasing the deep talent that exists within this group.
Fun For Young & Young at Heart
When the Dance-Along Nutcracker first started in 1985, it was a way for the adult LGBTQ+ community in San Francisco to let their hair down, release their inner child, and enjoy The Nutcracker as never before by joining in the dancing. For a community being ravaged by AIDS, this show was the perfect antidote in a very dark time in San Francisco.
By the mid-1990s, an unexpected thing happened: more and more children were appearing in the audience, led by parents of all persuasions and gender identities. Noting the evolution of the Dance-Along Nutcracker audience, the Band pivoted to offering more daytime shows and crafting the storylines and the jokes to appeal to all audiences. Nowadays, the audiences are an exciting mix of children dragging their parents onto the floor and adult couples and singles twirling under the mirror ball. After all, where else can anyone enjoy The Nutcracker and be a part of the show instead of having to sit passively and watch for two hours?
Great Artistic Minds Behind the Show
Once the Band’s all-volunteer creative team chose The Nutmare Before Christmas as the 2023 theme, Artistic Director Pete Nowlen and Cast Director Allen Sawyer took over. Nowlen said, “This is my 10th year directing the show and I’m excited to take the show somewhere it hasn’t been before. After all the shows we’ve done since 1985, it’s not easy coming up with a new adventure for the Nutcracker family of Clara, Fritz, and the others, but we’ve really done that this year … by merging two holidays into one. We will mash together the fun, spooky spirit of Halloween—a holiday taken very seriously in San Francisco—with the pure family joy of the winter holidays. Audiences are sure to love it!”
Allen Sawyer, who also works at the San Francisco Opera House, observed, “I’ve seen kids grow out of the traditional Nutcracker. Because we’re always changing our theme and adding new music, audiences keep coming back year after year to see what’s new. Folks who were brought to the Dance-Along Nutcracker when they were children are now bringing their own kids!”
26 Years of Support From the San Francisco Bay Times
The 2023 Dance-Along Nutcracker also celebrates the 26-year relationship between the San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band and the San Francisco Bay Times & “Betty’s List.” Since 1997, Betty Sullivan, Jennifer Viegas, and their associates have been stalwart supporters of this annual show, providing extremely valuable media and promotional support. Needless to say, the Band cherishes this long-term relationship. Betty had this to say about her love of this show: “I was new to the Bay Area and a dear friend invited me the first time I attended the Dance-Along Nutcracker. I saw José Sarria, the Grand Mere, perform, and since then, I’ve enjoyed so many remarkable moments at this crazy show that is so beloved and family-friendly. Why, after a cocktail, I’ve even danced there myself!” Thank you so much, Betty and Jen, for the kind words and all the support!
Don’t Miss the Show. Get Tickets Now!
Be there at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts on December 16 or 17 for the 2023 Dance-Along Nutcracker. It will be a spooky good time! To get into the spirit of the show, audiences are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes before putting them away until next October. They’ll fit right in!
The Nutmare Before Christmas
Saturday, December 16, 3 pm and 7 pm
Sunday, December 17, 11 am and 3 pm
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts – Forum
701 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
Tickets start at $27 for children/students & seniors and $45 for adults. Individual sponsor packages are also available.
Information & tickets: https://tinyurl.com/ycxzvn8d
Doug Litwin is a long-time volunteer musician and Board member in the SF Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band and has the distinction of performing in every Dance-Along Nutcracker since the show premiered in 1985.
Published on December 7, 2023
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