One-Man Nutcracker by Chris Davis – Philadelphia, PA

One-Man Nutcracker

written & performed by Chris Davis

directed by MK Tuomanen

choreography by Campbell Tosney

sound design by Adriano Shaplin

lighting design by Krista Smith

narrated by Severin Blake

You know the Nutcracker the ballet, but what if the ballet was performed by only one man? If the daughter Marie, little boy Fritz, creepy uncle Drosselmeyer, the mice, the Sugar Plum fairy, were all channeled through one actor. Chris Davis is proud to bring you One-Man Nutcracker, a re-telling of the original E.T.A. Hoffman Nutcracker Story and the Ballet.

One-Man Nutcracker returns to Philadelphia after a sold-out run in Germany in the Thespis Festival 2024.

“…a witty and irreverent take on the classic holiday ballet.” – WHYY

“This is 60 minutes of pure joy. Chris Davis has given us a true holiday gift.”

– Judy Cohen, Stage Reviews

“Should be a yearly tradition in Philadelphia!” – Row Home Magazine

“It’s smart. It’s funny. In the words of the show itself, it’s better than CGI.”

– Broad Street Review

“Imagine the holiday classic, The Nutcracker, a two-hour ballet masterpiece, condensed into just one hour. Then, imagine that instead of a company of over 100 ballerinas…there’s just ONE.”

– 6ABC Action News

“Condenses the two-hour classic into a ballet power hour.” – Thinking Dance

“A strikingly original writer & performer.” – The Scotsman

“…a refreshing splash to the face, laced with warm wit and humanity.”- Broad St. Review

“Chris Davis erzählen, befeuert vom „Magic, magic, magic“ des Publikumschors.”

– Kieler Nachritchen

VENUE

Louis Bluver Theatre at The Drake*

302 S. Hicks St. (near 15th & Spruce)

Philadelphia, PA 19102

* ADA accessible

Age appropriate for 10+

Dec 10 – Dec 29 (varied times)

Dec 10 – Tue – 7pm

Dec 11 – Wed – 7pm

Dec 12 – Thur – NO SHOW

Dec 13 – Fri – 7pm

Dec 14 – Sat – 5pm – SOLD OUT

Dec 15 – Sun – Noon

Dec 16 – Mon – 7pm

Dec 17- Tue – NO SHOW

Dec 18 – Wed – 7pm

Dec 19 – Thur – 7pm

Dec 20 – Fri – 5pm

Dec 21 – Sat – Noon

Dec 22 – Sun – Noon

Dec 23 – Mon – Noon

Dec 24 – Tue – Noon

Dec 25 – Wed – CHRISTMAS NO SHOW

Dec 26 – Thur – NO SHOW

Dec 27- Fri -5pm

Dec 28 – Sat – Noon

Dec 29 – Sun – Noon

Chris Davis (actor/writer) is a writer and performer residing in Philadelphia, PA. His solo shows have toured throughout the United States and Europe.

Recent projects include solo shows One-Man Nutcracker, The Presented (★★★★ – The List), The Last Emperor of Mexico, One-Man Apocalypse Now (★★★★★ – “superbly crafted” – Underdog Reviews), Juan-Winfield, Bortle 8 (“…a strikingly original writer and performer.” – The Scotsman), Drunk Lion (“A potent success” ★★★★★ – Wee Review), and Violence of the Lambs (“…absurd comedy at its very best.” ★★★★★ – The Student Newspaper ). He participated in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival for six years.

Other projects Alchemist with Mary Tuomanen (Sep 2017), Peaceable Kingdom (Orbiter 3), Damned Dirty Apes! (Renegade Theater), Alias Ellis Mackenzie (Thaddeus Phillips), Anna K (Philly Fringe 2014), Holly’s Dead Soldiers (Philly Fringe 2013),The Post-Show (Berserker Residents), Vainglorious (Applied Mechanics). He was selected as one of Billy Penn’s Artists to Watch Out For 2017. He is a coordinator of the experimental DIY festival SolowFest (solowfest.com) that takes place in Philadelphia.

More info: www.realchrisdavis.com