Franklin Performing Arts Company Presents Back-to-Back Holiday Shows: THE NUTCRACKER and CAROL'S CHRISTMAS

Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) presents a festive double-bill of holiday entertainment this December with back-to-back productions of the classic family favorite The Nutcracker and the new holiday musical Carol's Christmas. Performances of The Nutcracker are on Saturday, December 14, at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, December 15, at 2:00 p.m. Carol's Christmas premieres on Saturday, December 21, at 2:00 and 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, December 22, at 2:00 p.m. All performances will take place at the Thomas D. Mercer Auditorium, located at 224 Oak Street in Franklin.

A popular and highly anticipated FPAC tradition for more than 20 years, The Nutcracker brings Boston ballet stars, world-class musicians and 100 area dancers to one suburban stage. Delighting the imagination of audiences of all ages, FPAC's magical journey of The Nutcracker features a professional orchestra under the direction of Peter Cokkinias, who celebrates his 10th year as music director/conductor of FPAC's Nutcracker orchestra. Internationally renowned violinist Olivia De Prato will serve as concert mistress for the 27-piece orchestra, delivering glorious live accompaniment of the beloved Tchaikovsky score. A choir will sing the ethereal choral parts that accompany the enchanting Snow Scene that closes the ballet's first act.

Special guest artists Dalay Parrondo and Bradley Schlagheck, Boston Ballet soloists, will dance the roles of the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier. Franklin's Nick Paone will reprise the role of Dr. Drosselmeyer. FPAC's production also showcases the talents of scores of area dance students, ages 6 and older, from 19 regional communities and many local dance schools, including the Franklin School for the Performing Arts. Director/Choreographer Cheryl Madeux has introduced several new roles for this year's production, including Snow Princesses to feature the work of more advanced dancers, and Little Sheep and Russian Candy Canes to provide new opportunities for the youngest and intermediate-level dancers, respectively.

The 2013 production also boasts enhanced costuming by new FPAC Costumer Merrie Whitney of Franklin. Having worked previously in New York making costumes for Broadway shows including Grease, Kiss of the Spider Women and Cats!, Whitney created many new designs for this year's Nutcracker presentation. She also augmented a selection of existing costumes with luminous details, adding sparkling ornamentation and elegant decoration.

Following The Nutcracker, FPAC debuts Carol's Christmas, a humorous contemporary musical satirizing the material excesses which can threaten to derail the holiday season. Carol's Christmas follows one family's triumphs and travails as they wrestle with the question: What do they really want for Christmas? But they must decide if they have chosen their goals wisely. Rather than ask what they want this Christmas, they are better served to consider what they really need. Ring in the holidays with a professional band and talented cast of area performers as they sing and dance their way through this joyous, uplifting and hilarious story.

Carol's Christmas was written for FPAC by Nick Paone, who most recently opened the company's 2013-2014 season as director and star (Jean Valjean) of LES MISERABLES. Paone also penned Humbug!, FPAC's musical adaptation of Dickens' A Christmas Carol, which debuted in 2008 and returned by popular demand the following year and the past two FPAC seasons. Paone starred in that production as Scrooge. Like Humbug!, Carol's Christmas will feature an entertaining and accessible score spotlighting music of many genres.

FPAC's holiday musical will showcase a large ensemble cast of 160 area performers from 21 towns. Performers cast in featured roles include Ali Funkhouser, Anna Grasso, Ed Jones, Wendy Jones, Teagan McStay, Chuck Peters, Guy Rezendes, Alicia Rivera, Kellie Stamp and Hallie Wetzell of Franklin; Colie Vancura of Medfield; and Jenna McDermott of Wrentham.

A distinctive suburban non-profit arts organization founded in 1991, FPAC brings together professional artists, community performers and students of the arts in a collaborative and creative environment. With a focus on youth development and a commitment to live music, productions draw performers and audiences from more than 50 communities throughout the region. Company performers and alumni are making their mark in top college and conservatory arts programs, national Broadway tours, European concert tours, the American Idol finals, cruise line casts, film, television and regional theater, reflecting the performance quality and entertainment value found in FPAC shows.

Tickets are $30, $28 and $26 for each show and may be purchased at The Spotlight Shop (34 Main Street, Franklin), through online ticketing at www.fpaconline.com, or by phone at 508-528-8668. Group sales are available for civic groups and organizations. FPAC 2013 Holiday Sponsors are Big Y and Middlesex Savings Bank.