ACT ONE

THE CHRISTMAS PARTY

3 BLIND MICE

[Choreography: Jess Byrne]

On this Christmas Eve, the 3 blind mice sneak out to check for crumbs. Little do they know that the Hughmaan’s party was already underway.

As the curtain rises we get to glimpse at the festivities ensuing…

THE HUGHMAAN’S HOLIDAY PARTY

[Choreography: Justin Bourdet and Laura Bland]

The Hughmaans are happy to celebrate with their closest friends and family. The kiddos, Clara and Fritz, are most excited about their new toy that apparently cracks nuts. It’s all the rave. Clara saw it on TikTok and had to have it. Well, it’s Clara’s toy officially, but Fritz REALLLLLY wants it. So when he finally gets his human paws on it, he BREAKS it and the Nutcracker’s hat rolls under the couch…

Meanwhile…under that very same couch…

THE VEIRMAAN’S HOLIDAY PARTY

[Choreography: Laura Bland, Jillian Vrba, Justin Bourdet, Cayla Congdon, Jenny Broe Quinn, and Megan Pickett]

The Veirmaans like to to turn up on Christmas. Everything is a blast, no real rules, just fun. Tara and Ritz are stoked to see such a great turnout and can’t wait for their dad to come home from his trip abroad. It doesn’t matter that they are rats, they like to celebrate Christmas just like the Hughmaan family.

When their two worlds collide…

TARA & CLARA’S FIRST IMPRESSION

[Choreography: Laura Bland]

Clara searches for the broken toy under the couch and discovers that there is a tiny house guest that looks remarkably similar to her own reflection. Who is this wildly familiar creature?

Tara…rhymes with Clara.

How curious…

Things got a little TOO real for Clara’s liking, all these rats would surely ruin Christmas, so she and her NUTCRACKER tiktok toy of the decade decide to call the pest control hotline…

Rat Daddy (aka THE RAT KING) gets home just in time!

VEIRMAANS VS. HUGHMAANS

[Choreography: Laura Bland and Miguel Robinson]

The Hughmaans don’t appreciate all the VERMIN in their house (cough cough, um, it’s pronounced VEIRMAAAAAAAN), while they wait for the brigade of exTerminators to arrive, they enlist the help of the all-powerful Nutcracker to make the RAT KING and his family BEAT IT.

NUTCRACKER VS. RAT KING BATTLE

[Choreography: Laura Bland]

The age-old battle between rat and man. Who will prevail?

Rat got your tongue? When all else fails, call in the experts!

DING DONG, THE EXTERMINATORS!

[Choreography: Kirt Rawl]

Finally, the Rest Your Pest Pest Control Service arrives! They case the place and make sure NO RODENT can escape.

TRIPPY

[Choreography: Laura Bland]

Which way is up? All those fumes got to his head! Rat King starts to see some very strange things and fights the urge to fall asleep. He must save his family!

DISCO RATS

[Choreography: Jonathan Singleton, Jenny Broe Quinn, Erica Ryan, Naquan Villega, Megan Pickett, and Hallie Driggers]

The Hughmaans can fumigate til’ the cows come home, DEEZ RATZ ain’t going nowhere. They are STAYING ALIVE and WILL SURVIVE! While the majority of the VEIRMAANS managed to escape the attack of the fog unscathed somehow, Tara, Rat King AND even the Hughmaan Clara weren’t so lucky.

They drift off into a deep, dream-filled slumber.

-INTERMISSION-

ACT TWO

THE RAT DREAMS OF A DUMPSTER WORLD

THE WALTZ OF THE RED SOLO CUPS

[Choreography: Amanda Evans]

Meet the fairest of all the fairies in the land, The DUMPSTER FAIRY! She brings the rats’ wishes to life by way of the dumpster portal. Her magical waltzing red solo cups help set the scene for this rat fantasy dreamland!

BANDITS

[Choreography: Laura Bland]

No Dumpster World would be complete without a band of raccoons rummaging through all the goodies. The HBIT (head bandit in trash) calls all the shots (of espresso).

FLY FLIES

[Choreography: Erica Ryan]

HOT MESS EXPRESS DUMPSTER DIVERS

[Choreography: Erica Ryan]

Rats can be dumpster divers, too! What’s the saying? One man’s trash is another rat’s treasure?? Don’t forget to ROLL OUT them trash cans every Thursday morning!

Pass the cheese, please…

PARMESANOS

[Choreography: Tay Solomon]

Big Pimpin’ spending CHEESE! These mafia rats ain’t playin! Or is it mob rats? Which sounds better? What’s the difference? Side note: Who has seen ALL the Godfathers? Yeah, me neither.

PEPPERJACK QUESO

[Choreography: Amanda Evans]

Rats aren’t known for their cultural appreciation, per se, but despite popular belief rats have a very discernible palate, and they LOVE spicy things! Bring on the HOT SAUCE!

MISS BLUE & HER BLUE CHEESE CRUMBLES

[Choreography: Starla Kurtz]

The most exquisite of the cheeses, so elegant and regal. So distinct and acquired. Rat King’s wifey looks quite perfect as blue cheese :)

MOTHER COUTERIE & THE BABY SWISS

[Original Choreography: Ashley Clarke, reimagined by Erica Capdevila]

The good mother (first name Char, last name Couterie) has some surprises for you! Anyone in the mood for some BABY SWISS??

Dreaming of all the rats that made it to the big leagues…

NINJA TURTLE BREAKIN’

Master Splinter is the ultimate mentor for any sewage-dweller! Of course he’s gonna make a cameo with his TMNT team!

BROADWAY RATS

[Choreography: Jess Byrne]

To dance on broadway amongst the stars is every rat’s dream, hence why you see so many of them in the subway, they just tryin’ to get to 42nd street!

Now for the hollywood stars…

REMY

[Choreography: Sasha Mihovilovic and Jenny Broe Quinn]

Speaking of french celebrities, when she’s not cooking up a storm in the best restaurants in Paris, she is dancing with the Folies Bergere! This rat CAN CAN!

The fumes are starting to clear and reality and dreamland are hard to differentiate…

THAT’S LIFE

[Choreography: Amanda Evans]

The Nutcracker doesn’t want to be the villain, how does he explain this to a rat?

I NEED A HERO

[Choreography: Laura Bland]

Tara and Clara realize they need to wake up or they may be stuck inside the confusing dreamland forever! Can The RAT KING save them???

Rat King dreams of his love again…

PAS DE DEUX

[Choreography: LAURA BLAND]

Although Rat King defeats the evil Nutcracker in this never-ending fever dream, he reminisces of his love and finds comfort in knowing that when they wake up, they will be reunited again.

He must wake up.

-dramatic pause-

They all wake from their dreams, a little changed…

EPILOGUE

BACK AT THE CHRISTMAS PARTY

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS

[Choreography: Laura Bland and Miguel Robinson]

The Hughmaans and Veirmaans may never quite see eye-to-eye (how can they, rats tend to be so close to the ground?) BUT they decide to let bygones be bygones so they can enjoy a yummy Christmas feast together. Besides, the Veirmaans really know how to throw a party!

-Fin-

HAPPY HOLIDAYS, EVERYONE! THANK YOU FOR COMING TO OUR HOLIDAY CONCERT “RAT KING!” WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED!

RAT KING CREDITS:

Concept created by Laura Bland and Jenny Broe Quinn

Concert directed by Laura Bland

Lighting design & projection by Jimmy Varn

Stage management (aka rat wrangling) by Carleen Bland

Costume Design by Laura Bland

Special Thank You’s: Jimmy Varn, Alana Ronnquist, Isabella Giuffra, Jonathan Singleton, Mary Carter, Kirt Rawl, and Todd St. Onge and his amazing Technical Event Company!!!!

MEET THE CAST

Adult Cast: Alana Ronnquist, Alexxis Alexander, Camille Cabrera, Camryn Woods, Dayanna Nolasco, Georgia Milligan, Jamie Ellison, Janéa Jenkins, Jatae Bryant, Jonathan Singleton, Karissa Owens, Mary Carter, Megan McDonald, Olivia Schwartz, Sarah Weast, Tahjaneik Collins-Williams, Tay Solomon

Youth Cast: Adalyn Stewart, Addyson Flowers, Ally Irizarry, Ally Mouthaan, Amara Swain, Amelia Gardy, Amelia Morelli, Annie Renkas, Aoife Jimenez, Aria Smith, Ashton Savel, Ava Pickens, Ava Reynolds, Brantley Pitts, Caitlyn McLeod, Cal Gooding, Cali Rose St. Onge, Cate Moffatt, Charlotte Steffen, Cora Rousse, Cordy Wilkinson, Daycie Carroll, Drifter Wilkinson, Elena Criscitiello, Elena Saladin, Elise Steed, Ella Talbert, Emma Flynn, Glory Graves, Gracie Kessinger, Harper Clark, Harper Geffert, Hazel Navarro, Hollin Geffert, Hope Matias-Lopez, Jacie Hollis, Jayda Daniels, Jocelyn Moltzen, Jordan Simonis, Josephine Brandon, Julia Dack, Kate Herzberg, Kayli Craven, Kinsley Hughes, Kinzey Myers, Kitty Mack Smith, LeeLee Gorman, Lexi Short, Lilly Vivas Young, Logan King, Lola Frye, London Lemus, Londyn Smith, Madison Bjernudd, Maia Ronnquist, Makinzie Grow, Malia Green, Marin Lutz, Max Frye, Millie Bigler, Nyla Woods, Olive Copses, Piper Jane Rittle, Quinn Foster, Ravina Westee, Reagan Baber, Roxy Chrisman, Sadie Kascak, Sawyer Kline, Sophia Parson, Sophia Wall, Violet Frye, Willa Georgas, Zoe Warner, Zuri Swain-Moore ADD BABY SWISS