Nightmare Before Christmas as spring play

Nightmare Before Christmas isn’t really a spring show. Come to think of it, it’s not even a Christmas show. But the two-act musical is the highly successful Tim Burton horror fantasy that Visionary College will mount to close its season.

“Nightmare before Christmas is quite popular. It almost has a cult following,” says director Curtis LaBelle.

The stage version, adapted from Disney’s 1993 mega hit, will open at CitĂ© Francophone Theatre for a three-day run from May 24 to 26.

It tells the story of Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, a dream world peopled with deformed monsters, ghosts, goblins, vampires, werewolves and witches.

Every year he leads the townsfolk into scary celebrations. But he’s grown tired and bored of the same practices. While wandering in a forest outside the town, he enters the portal of another dream world – Christmas Town.

In awe of Christmas, but without understanding its true meaning, he takes the concept back to Halloween Town. Obsessed with the idea of running Christmas, Jack even tries to take over the role of Santa.

In the middle of all the new half-baked preparations, Sally, a rag-doll type woman created by the town’s mad scientist, Dr. Finklestein, starts to feel a romantic attraction towards Jack.

Lock, Shock and Barrel, a trio of mischievous children kidnap Santa, and Jack takes on the jolly giant’s role. Driving a coffin sleigh guided by Zero, a ghost dog with a glowing nose, Jack flies around the world to deliver Christmas presents.

But you could say everything gets blown up in his face, when he’s shot down by the military and lands in a cemetery.

“Jack slowly comes to the realization that there is a leader for everyone and everything,” notes LaBelle.

In this production, there is a strong contingent of St. Albert actors developing the character parts. Adrian Johnson, 20, tackles Jack’s starring part.

“He was the only adult with a preferred voice. It’s all character singing. I keep telling the cast, I don’t want to hear your beautiful voice. I want to hear your creepy voice.”

And Shelby Haber morphs into Sally, a rag doll pining for love.

“She has such a sweet innocent voice that it is almost haunting when she sings. She’s really morphed into place.”

Other local actors include Elizabeth Van Staduinnen as Dr. Finkelestein, Rebeka Pennconn as the Major, Cassandra Livingstone as Oogie Boogie, Joshua McPhee as Sandy Claws and Brett Williams as Barrel, the mischievous kidnapper.

LaBelle, who also designed the set, depicts it as “dark, decrepit and asymmetrical.” A stage crew will be pumping smoke out of a fog machine and using flashy lighting for special effects.

“The music is amazing and it’s such an original story line. I think people will be able to relate to the characters. Jack is as memorable as Mickey Mouse. And the set is scary and vibrant. It’s a great family show.”