On Cue production of 'The Nightmare Before Christmas' filled with 'singing and dancing and ghosts and ghouls'

On Cue Performing Arts Studio will present its debut production, "The Nightmare Before Christmas," next weekend at Cape Girardeau Central Junior High School.

Based on Tim Burton's film, "Nightmare" brings to the stage a musical that will showcase the talents of adults and children. Director Jennifer Priddy promises a performance that will captivate and entertain.

The production is centered around protagonist Jack Skellington, who is on a journey to find a bigger purpose outside of Halloween. Discovering Christmas Town, "he realizes he can't take on a new holiday by himself and uses the help of his friends to find a happy ending," Priddy explained.

High-school junior Levi Kempf, plays Skellington. Kempf is in 99 percent of the show, Priddy said, yet "he has been able to take on that mantle, which is a lot of work," especially since, as a student and choir member, he has other responsibilities.

The cast has been rehearsing three hours a week since September.

The top of Dr. Finkelstein's wheelchair, a character in the upcoming production of "The Nightmare Before Christmas," at On Cue Performing Arts Studio on Thursday in downtown Cape Girardeau. (Glenn Landberg)

Kempf said he loves the challenge and pulls from his prior experience. Although he has not done much theater, he cited his participation in classical shows, recitals and concerts.

"I've always loved acting and musicals ... since I was a kid," he said. "But I really got into it in the fourth grade."

In fact, the "Nightmare" actor has dreams of a career in the arts.

"I would like to get my bachelor's in fine arts and pursue acting and musical theater," he said.

He and Priddy are enjoying working with the children in the cast. As the musical is geared mostly toward children, it is fitting most of the 40-person cast is comprised of kids.

"About eight adults are in the cast, and the rest are 13 and under," Priddy said.

This presents both challenges and joys for the director who heretofore had experience as an assistant director, but no solo directing experience.

She described one challenge of working with children: "They tend to forget things a lot easier" -- such as where they should be. Repetition helps with that, and everything is "coming together quite nicely," she said.

Children are willing to learn, she pointed out, which is one joy of working with them.

"They're so enthusiastic about it, and they love being there," she said. "Adults see it more as a job, whereas kids see it as playtime."

Kempf agrees.

"It's really cool to get to work with the younger kids, and older kids, too," he said. "They all have such a good attitude. ... They all work really hard." Continuing his praise, he said, "It's really cool to see how much they've advanced and grown up in such a short amount of time."

As the area does not have many production opportunities for children, On Cue "wanted to bring another opportunity for kids to immerse themselves in the arts," Priddy said.

She said she hopes to pack the house and feels certain the audience will not be disappointed.

"It is a musical, so there will be singing and dancing and ghosts and ghouls -- everything you would see in a Halloween town," Priddy said.

Children in the audience will enjoy it, but, added Kempf, "Hopefully, adults will love it, too."

The cast and crew will intensify preparation as opening night approaches. Next week, they will rehearse "every single day of the week," Priddy said.

Show times are 7 p.m. Dec. 18 and 19, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m., and 2 p.m. Dec. 20, with doors opening at 1:30 p.m. Tickets are available in advance online at www.oncueperformingartsstudio.com or at the studio, 20 N. Main St. in Cape Girardeau. The cost is $12 in advance or $15 at the door. Children ages 3 and younger are admitted free.

Pertinent address:

205 Caruthers Ave., Cape Girardeau, Mo.

20 N. Main St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.