Ongoing COVID-19 pandemic restrictions would’ve only allowed about a third of the audience, if that, to attend the show at the Clark State Performing Arts Center. Not wanting to break the streak, OPAI artistic director and founder D. Scot Davidge chose to do the performance live with a three-camera setup shot at the OPAI studio earlier this month.
The performance will be available on DVD or streaming some time in mid-December. Details as to when and the price will be announced.
“I was rather depressed. We were on a big roll with a wham-bam 30th anniversary show and then it took a stop and we were shut down for months,” said Davidge. “What I really wanted is for the kids to have that tradition. Some of our high school kids have been waiting 10 years for this and some have done it 13 times.”
Given he grew up near Hollywood and has performed in and produced films, Davidge knew this was the next best thing. It was in September that Davidge and his wife, Amy, went looking for someone to shoot and edit “The Nutcracker” and found Dayton filmmaker Mackenzie Cornell.
Already the creator of an Amazon Prime series called “Sidewalk Stories,” it wasn’t just her skills that make Cornell the right choice for the job. Her mom worked with the Muse Machine and one of her annual holiday experiences was seeing “The Nutcracker” at Dayton’s Victoria Theatre.
“It sort of brings things full circle,” she said. “My roots are able to shine through in something I love.”
For Davidge, it’s been about taking the stage to the studio.
“The difference between the stage and (video) is the stage is big, broad and open and (video) is about a controlled center and the emotions. The choreography is different. This is not exactly the same as before,” said Davidge.
While most of the sets come straight from stage production, some are modified and wider with no background drops.
Emma Pitts, who will play the Snow Queen and is a veteran of 12 “Nutcracker” productions showed her versatility by also helping build some of these set props with Amy Davidge.
“It’s been a lot different, but I’ve enjoyed it,” she said of the difference between stage and film.
Even with a smaller cast of 60 performers, down from 150 in 2019, the biggest directing challenge for Davidge has been following social distancing guidelines to keep everyone safe. When not in a scene, the cast members are required to socially distance wearing masks on the sidelines.
Davidge said with many shows being filmed or on video for audiences who can’t attend live shows, this could represent the theater of the future and normalcy in an abnormal time.
“This is just and extension of what we’ve been doing for 30 years. It’s the thought of us still going into the community,” he said, adding that grandparents in others states or people abroad can see the unique Springfield-produced version of the classic, be it before the holidays, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day or whenever.
As “The Nutcracker” is traditionally OPAI’s biggest moneymaking show of the season, not having the revenue from the two nights of performances would affect OPAI financially even more than the months without taking in revenue from classes. Having this option will help according to Davidge.
In addition to proceeds from streaming and DVD sales, sponsorships are available for individuals or businesses who would like to contribute and will receive credit on the finished production. The deadline is Dec. 3.
For more information on sponsorship opportunities or updates on how to purchase a DVD or stream “The Nutcracker,” go to the OPAI’s Facebook page.
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