FANCY NANCY: SPLENDIFEROUS CHRISTMAS Opens with a Holiday Glow

When families step into the Osher Studio in Berkeley for a performance of Fancy Nancy: Splendiferous Christmas The Musical by the Bay Area Children's Theatre (BACT), delicate giant snowflakes and glowing lighting will set the holiday mood.

Fancy Nancy: Splendiferous Christmas The Musical, based on the book of the same name in the popular Fancy Nancy series written by Jane O'Conner and illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser, opens Saturday, November 26, and plays weekends (except for December 24 and 25) and selected weekdays at 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. through December 29.

The Osher Studio, in the heart of Berkeley's Arts District at 2055 Center Street, Berkeley, CA 94704, is easily accessible by BART, a BACT community partner.

Fancy Nancy Clancy returns to the stage in this delightful tale of love and family, as she ogles a spinning, flashing, colorful topper for the Clancy's Christmas tree. It would be sooo fancy to have that tree topper, but how can she earn the money to buy it?

"We are having such fun with this show," said Director and Choreographer Hannah Dworkin. "It's a wonderful story about a little girl who learns what's really important about the holiday season. She reminds me a lot of my own daughter, who sees the world in such bright colors. I see Fancy Nancy as a child who has the kind of parents I'd like to be-they support her creativity and encourage her to think out of the box and take risks. Being "fancy" for Nancy isn't being perfect or constrained to act in a particular way, it's being creative."

Dworkin is "really excited about the set that (Scenic Designer) Martin Flynn has created for the show, using thin, papery cloth that can be lighted from within to create a warm, comforting holiday glow."

"And we don't forget Nancy's little sister Jojo either," she said. "Isabel To, who plays Jojo, has been exploring little kids' movement and their approach to things."

Fancy Nancy: Splendiferous Christmas The Musical-with book by Cara Lustik and Matthew Hardy, music by Randy Klein, and lyrics by Matthew Hardy-promises upbeat songs with beautiful harmonies, humor that will make parents chuckle, and dance numbers that open the door to a fantasy world, - all in an inviting holiday environment. What could be more fun . . . and fancy . . . as a family treat for the season?

TICKETS: $25 adults, $23 seniors, $20 children, $15 groups (minimum 15)

BOX OFFICE: www.bactheatre.org or call 501/296-4433

Artistic Team

Hannah Dworkin (director, choreographer) most recently choreographed A Year With Frog and Toad for BACT, and was nominated for a Theatre Bay Area award for outstanding choreography for BACT's original production of Good Night, Good Night, Construction Site-the Musical. A Bay Area based director, choreographer, performer and arts educator, Hannah's directing and choreography credits include Elephant and Piggie: WE ARE IN A PLAY! (Director/Choreographer, BACT), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Choreographer, BACT), James and the Giant Peach (Director, Shanghai Tour-BACT), Fancy Nancy, the Musical (Choreographer, BACT), Willy Wonka (Aerial Choreographer, Berkeley Playhouse) and Aladdin (Aeriel Choreographer, Berkeley Playhouse). Hannah holds an MA in Music and Music Education from Columbia University, a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with a Dance Certification from UC Berkeley Extension, and a BA in Dance and Anthropology from the University of California, Berkeley. In addition, Hannah is a classically trained vocalist, dancer and aerialist. She recently sang the role of The Sorceress in Dido and Aeneas (Opera Non Troppo), and she performs regularly as a company member of Upswing Aerial Dance.

Dworkin is assisted by Costume Designer Amy Bobeda, Scenic Designer Martin Flynn, Props Designer Joan Howard, Lighting Designer Kevin Landesman, Music Director Grace Renaud, and Sound Designer Seafus Smith.

Actors

Pauli Amornkul (Mother) last played Amah in BACT's 2014 TBA award-winning musical adaptation of Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. Theatre credits include: Miss Saigon and A Chorus Line (Connie, Broadway by the Bay); West Side Story (Tri-Valley Repertory Theatre and Mountain Play); The Producers and Spamalot (Hillbarn Theatre); How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying(BAM!); A Little Princess, Annie, and Cinderella, Enchanted! (Berkeley Playhouse). Offstage, Dr. Amornkul is a medical epidemiologist. (That's fancy for a physician who studies the causes of diseases in populations!)

Alan Coyne (Father) has worked at theatres throughout the Bay Area, including BACT (understudy, Elephant and Piggie: WE ARE IN A PLAY!), Lafayette Town Hall Theatre, Pan Theater, and San Francisco Shakespeare Festival. He recently appeared as the Arbiter in Custom Made's production of Chess. He also sings with the semi-aquatic a cappella group, Spot the Octopus.

Paul Loper (Mrs. Devine/Grandpa) returns to BACT, having charmed audiences as Mr. Grump in BACT's 2012 production of Lyle the Crocodile. In 19 countries over 40 years his work has ranged from concerts to performance art to community-based projects. He danced with Twyla Tharp, the American Dancemachine, in two Olympic Games opening ceremonies, and created one- or two-man shows in Seattle, Paris, and London. Locally he has earned a Ph.D., and worked with Eye Zen Presents, San Francisco Playhouse, Cutting Ball Theatre, Diablo Theatre Company, Broadway by the Bay, the Thrillpeddlers, Ragged Wing, and Berkeley Playhouse.

Allison Meneley (Fancy Nancy) returns to BACT having played Rhonda in Fancy Nancy, the Musical (understudy) and Ladybug Girl in Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy, the Musical (national tour). Allison teaches with BACT's Educational Program. She received her BA from the University of California, Irvine, where she also participated in its New York program.

Isabel To (Jojo) most recently played Excavator in BACT's original production of Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site-the Musical, for which she was nominated for a Theater Bay Area award for outstanding performance by a female actor in a feature role in a musical. She also played Marley/Dragonfly Girl in BACT's national tour of Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy, the Musical, and originated the roles of Xiao Mao and A-fu in BACT's award-winning musical adaptation of Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. Offstage, Isabel works at BACT as the School Programs coordinator.

Photo credit: Melissa Nigro