Crack Open the ‘Nut’ to Find Its Meat

Yes, it’s “Nutcracker” time again, but if you’re looking for an alternative to a child’s sometimes daunting first-time visit to the ballet, look no further than the new Milk and Cookies Theatre in Old Town Pasadena, and “The Real Nut, the True Story of the Nutcracker.”

This theatrical account of E.T.A. Hoffmann’s original fantasy about a little girl, an enchanted nutcracker and a life-and-death struggle with a vicious rodent is a holiday treat, served up by master storyteller Paul Hansen.

Hansen, creator of the venerable L.A. Moving Van and Puppet Company, gives a tour-de-force performance in which he becomes every character in Hoffmann’s tale, complemented by puppetry and creative design.

Bearded, silver-haired and solid of build, Hansen easily convinces as aloof little Maria and her eager brother Fritz, anticipating Christmas, or as their parents and mysterious Uncle Drosselmeier.

He deftly plays each role in the nutcracker’s own history, too--the tale within a tale. He’s the king of Shambala, where the only law, destined to be broken, is to love one another; he’s the queen, making sausages in the royal kitchen; he’s the greedy, wicked mouse queen, who gives their baby princess the face of a clown. He’s also that princess grown up.

Shifting from one character to another with ease, Hansen is the clockmaker looking for the spell’s cure; the toy maker who finds it; and the boy who accomplishes it only to be cursed to live life as a silly nutcracker unless he can find someone to offer him more “love than laughter.”

Will selfish, unhappy Maria be his salvation? Hansen vividly creates Maria’s defining moment, when she sees the worst of herself reflected in the eyes of the evil Mouse-King, and rejects it, choosing to help the nutcracker.

Timing is everything in this deceptively modest piece of theater magic, and except for an occasional trip of the tongue on opening day, Hansen, directed by his co-writer Barry Simon, is impeccable. Even the participatory break in the middle of the show--Hansen engages the audience in mimed sausage-making and rhythmic dialogue--flows smoothly. As do the expressive efforts of lighting designer Barbara Kellam and composer Peter Davison’s mood-enhancing original music.

Puppetry is sparingly used, and effective, with Joel Mueller adding much as the black-clad, unobtrusive puppeteer.

Dramatic battle scenes between toy soldiers and mice, and the monstrous Mouse-King’s attack, are illustrated by Hansen’s shadow puppets against a Christmas tree-shaped screen cutout in a colorfully painted Christmas tree.

The Mouse-King also makes a chilling appearance as a larger-than-life puppet monster--designed by Pio Barone Lumaga--with three fanged heads and skeletal arms on rods. Uncle Drosselmeier is a spectral figure with a sculpted, stern white face, eye-patch and top hat.

The simple, charming set was designed by Alessandra Madau and Siri-Kartar K. Khalsa.

BE THERE

“The Real Nut,” Milk and Cookies Theatre, 110 Martin Alley (between Colorado Boulevard and Green Street, off DeLacey), Old Town Pasadena, Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m., 2 and 4 p.m. through Dec. 27. $8 (ages 5 to 10) to $12. (Children must be accompanied by an adult.) Running time: 65 minutes. (323) 660-8587.