REVIEW: The Buttcracker: A Nutcracker Burlesque© Now Playing Through December 31 at The Greenhouse Theater Center

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THE BUTTCRACKER: A NUTCRACKER BURLESQUE©

CHICAGO’S FAVORITE ALTERNATIVE 

HOLIDAY SHOW, IS NOW PLAYING THROUGH DECEMBER 31 AT

THE GREENHOUSE THEATER CENTER

Featuring the Best of Chicago’s Nightlife Entertainment; Highlighting the World of Burlesque, Boylesque, Magic, Sword Balancing, 

Circus, Dance and More

The cast of THE BUTTCRACKER BURLESQUE including (L to R) Lilly Rascal, Elena Avila, Anghell, Yasmyne Williams, Mandyn Mueller, Claire Francescon, Eilish Morse-O’Rourke, Baby Bagos Hood, Hannah Silverman and Jezzibel 

Photo by Matthew Gregory Hollis 

REVIEW:

By Bonnie Kenaz-Mara

Sexy, sultry, silly... Alliteration aside, these belles slay! If you're looking for some adult holiday cheer, we highly recommend you shake a tail feather and get on over to see The Buttcracker: A Nutcracker Burlesque©, now in their sixth season. We had a blast on opening night, our first time to see the show, but definitely not our last. 

Members of THE BUTTCRACKER BURLESQUE ensemble including (L to R) Hannah Silverman, Eilish Morse-O’Rourke, Mandyn Mueller and Yasmyne Williams

Photo by Matthew Gregory Hollis 

The two-hour experience begins with a cocktail hour which includes craft vendors from local artists (Thursday nights), special pre-show performances (Friday and Saturday nights), and brunch fare (Sunday matinees), followed by Tchaicovsky’s The Nutcracker Suite in a saucy, alternative and adult retelling of the holiday classic. 

Anghell (Chocolate) Photo by Matthew Gregory Hollis 

On opening night our cocktail hour included fabulous samples from Jeppson's & ch. Though we're not fans of their Chicago classic, Malört, we were pleased to discover Jeppson's also makes a much tastier bourbon, ch espresso martini, and more! We're all about supporting Chicago businesses and are happy to drink locally (as long as it's not Malört) and shop locally whenever possible. Check out our social media channels for more Malört Face selfies and other original photos from our adventures at the show. 

 

Bonnie's "Not Buzzed Enough To Drink Malört" Face

My handsome husband, Dug

The holiday drinks were flowing for the cocktail hour, with Greenhouse Theatre bars both in the lobby and upstairs in the theatre itself. And then there were those delicious non-Malört ch & Jeppson's jems. We'll be picking up at least a few bottles this holiday season. 

 Another Bonnie, slinging samples and making friends. 

Booze can be beneficial for hanging with friends and making those family gatherings more palatable. The celebration of drinks, both alcoholic and non, continued into the onstage shenanigans. 

Lilly Rascal (Vodka) Photo by Matthew Gregory Hollis 

We weren't sure quite what to expect of the show, given the corny title, and were pleasantly surprised at the level of talent and creativity. Of course there's a good bit of creative license and updates, but the plot and music follow the original Nutcracker more that I thought they would. I'm still geeking out on the costumes. And those Sugar Bum Fairy butt tassels were next level... 

Autumn Christensen (Sugar Bum Fairy) Photo by Daf Miller 

(L to R) Autumn Christensen (Sugar Bum Fairy); Elena Avila (Clara) and Olivia Lindsay 

Photo by Matthew Gregory Hollis 

There wasn't as much in the way of circus arts as we'd hoped, but the burlesque dances were much more fun than any traditional Nutcracker I've ever seen. In edition to the eye candy, we appreciate the show's mission statement, and we're thrilled that they are gaining quite the cult following for this cheeky, nontraditional take on a holiday staple.

"The Buttcracker: A Nutcracker Burlesque© subverts the classic holiday ballet to promote diversity in body, gender expression, sexuality and race. The show utilizes the platform of parody to encourage audiences to imagine a more inclusive world, redefining the art of the tease through an alternative take on burlesque."

Members of THE BUTTCRACKER BURLESQUE ensemble including (L to R) Mandyn Mueller, Eilish Morse-O’Rourke, Yasmyne Williams and Hannah Silverman 

Photo by Matthew Gregory Hollis 

If you're 18 or over, get your butts in gear and get your tickets before they disappear. A friend of mine bravely took a first date she'd only "met" on a dating app and they both ended up loving the show, and digging each other. We adored this (dare I say) tongue in cheek, body positive, rendition of this holiday classic. I will never hear Tchaikovsky quite the same way again!

Bonnie is a Chicago based writer, theatre critic, photographer, videographer, actress, artist and Mama. She owns two websites where she publishes frequently: ChiILLiveShows.com (adult) & ChiILMama.com (family friendly). 

More About The Buttcracker: 

A Nutcracker Burlesque© 

Members of THE BUTTCRACKER BURLESQUE ensemble including (L to R) Hannah Silverman,  Mandyn Mueller and Eilish Morse-O’Rourke

Photo by Matthew Gregory Hollis 

The Buttcracker: A Nutcracker Burlesque© is proud to announce its return this holiday season with the sixth edition of Chicago’s favorite alternative holiday show, a twist on the original story and a live event not to be missed, directed by Miguel Long and choreographed by Dylan Kerr, now playing through December 31 at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave.  

(L to R) Elena Avila (Clara), Olivia Lindsay (Buttcracker) and Claire Francescon (Drosselmeyer) Photo by Matthew Gregory Hollis 

Each week features the best of Chicago’s nightlife entertainment in the roles of Tea, Coffee, Chocolate, Vodka and Mother Ginger, featuring sword swallowing, belly dancing, classic burlesque and more. It’s holiday performance schedule is Thursdays at 8 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 3 p.m. with a special New Year’s Eve closing night performance Saturday, Dec. 31 at 9 p.m. 

This New Year’s Eve special event includes a party following the show with cheese and charcuterie snacks, two drink tickets for after the show, a midnight “pole dancer booty drop” countdown with balloons and prizes, a DJ and more. There are no performances Friday, Dec. 24 and Saturday, Dec. 25. Admission is available for those 18 years old and older (21+ to drink). 

Slightly Spitfire (Tea) Photo by Matthew Gregory Hollis

Tickets are Industry/SRO, $20; house left general admission, $30/$40 at the door, house center general admission, $40/$50 at the door and VIP, $75/$100 at the door with New Year’s Eve tickets house left general admission, $60/$70 at the door, house center general admission $80/$90 at the door and VIP $150/$200 at the door. Tickets are now on sale at greenhousetheatre.org and TheButtcrackerBurlesque.com and, based on availability,  at the door one hour before the performance.

(L to R) Olivia Lindsay (Buttcracker) and Elena Avila (Clara)

Photo by Matthew Gregory Hollis 

The cast of THE BUTTCRACKER BURLESQUE including (L to R)Yasmyne Williams, Lilly Rascal, Darling Shear, Eilish Morse-O’Rourke, Baby Bagos Hood, Anghell, Jezzibel, Hannah Silverman, Autumn Christensen, Mandyn Mueller and Elena Avila 

Photo by Matthew Gregory Hollis 

Audiences are invited to follow Clara and her Buttcracker on a wild hallucinogenic trip from a boring-AF holiday party to the Land of Sweets where they battle rats, save the day and learn that body and sex positivity are to be celebrated. A combination of fairy tale and exotic trip down the rabbit hole with the best of Chicago’s nightlife entertainment. The Buttcracker highlights the world of burlesque, boylesque, magic, sword balancing, circus, dance and more.

Jezzibel (Chocolate) Photo by Daf Miller 

The Buttcracker: A Nutcracker Burlesque© cast includes Elena Avila*/^ (Clara); Olivia Lindsay* (Buttcracker);  Claire Francescon* (Drosselmeyer); Autumn Christensen* (Sugar Bum Fairy);  Baby Bagos Hood*/^ (Boss/Rat King); Hannah Silverman* (ensemble); Mandyn Mueller+/^ (ensemble); Eilish Morse-O'Rourke* (ensemble);  Yasmyne Williams*/^  (ensemble); Savannah Sinclair*/^ (swing) and Sierra Buffum*/^ (ensemble understudy). Features soloists for the roles of Vodka, Tea, Chocolate, Coffee, and Mother Ginger rotate weekly. Every week includes a different kind of performance from the best of Chicago’s nightlife entertainment.

The Buttcracker: A Nutcracker Burlesque© production team includes Miguel Long+ (director); Dylan Kerr* (choreographer); Brighid Martensen*/^ (costume designer); Gabrielle Strong* (set designer); Samuel Stephen+ (lighting designer);

Rowan Doe^ (props designer); Michael Bulaw+ (sound designer); Jake Snell+ (stage manager) and Carlie Rummel* (backstage manager); Kayla Drescher* (magic consultant). Jaq Seifert^/(sub)version productions (producer) and Caylei Hallberg* (producing assistant).

Pronoun Key: + (he/him/his); * (she/her/hers); ^ (they, them, theirs). = (any with respect)

Information on tickets:

New Year’s Eve

Saturday, Dec. 31 at 9 p.m.

Ticket prices: HOUSE LEFT GA $60/75 at the door, HOUSE CENTER GA $80/$100 at the door, VIP $150/$200 at the door.

This special closing performance of the 2022 run includes a make-your-own cheese and charcuterie board, two drink tickets for after the show, a midnight “pole dancer booty drop” countdown with balloons and prizes, a DJ and other special guest performances. 

Darling Shear (Mother Ginger) Photo by Daf Miller 

Regular Performances:

VIP 

Ticket price: $75/$100 at the door

This upgraded ticket includes reserved seating at your own cafe table right on the theatre floor with early entrance to the theatre and a private VIP bar, meet and greet with cast members and official Buttcracker swag. 

General Admission

Ticket price: $40/$50 at the door

General Admission tickets include first come, first served seating in the center section of the theater.

House Left General Admission

Ticket price: $30/$40 at the door

General Admission tickets include first come, first served seating in the house left section of the theater.

Standing Room Only (SRO)

Ticket price:  $20

A limited number of standing room only tickets will be available at the door, based on availability.

ADA Accessible seating is available, email thebuttcrackerburlesque@gmail.com for more information or to make reservations.

ABOUT THE BUTTCRACKER: A NUTCRACKER BURLESQUE

The Buttcracker: A Nutcracker Burlesque© subverts the classic holiday ballet to promote diversity in body, gender expression, sexuality and race. The show utilizes the platform of parody to encourage audiences to imagine a more inclusive world, redefining the art of the tease through an alternative take on burlesque. This performance would not be possible without the generous support of individuals and companies who understand the value of having alternative adult entertainment during the holiday season, as well as supporting our mission of subverting audience’s expectations of what live entertainment looks and feels like.