Chance Theater presents Fancy Nancy, The Musical. Book & lyrics by Susan DiLallo. Music by Danny Abosch. Music direction by Robyn Manion. Based on the popular “Fancy Nancy” books by Jane O’Connor and illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser. Based on original staging by Kelly Todd. Directed by Laura M. Hathaway.
The most fancy Francophile (that’s fancy for a person who loves everything French) is back in Anaheim at the Chance Theater. Joining Nancy (Jillian Batt) on stage are her friends Bree (Juliet Parker), Lionel (Matt Takahashi), Rhonda (Fiona Burrows), Wanda (Alyssa Corella), and of course, her favorite doll Marabelle Lavinia Chandelier. Overseeing the little rascals is Nancy’s mom, Mrs. Clancy (Katelyn Spurgin).
Nancy and Bree get excited about the upcoming school dance titled “Deep Sea Dances”, in which they wish to play the main character of the dance, a fancy mermaid. However, the role goes to another girl. When that girl gets injured and is unable to play the role, Nancy hopes to be the replacement. What happens next will challenge her sense of true friendship, and with the help of her mom, Nancy will learn an important life lesson.
The musical has been played at the Chance Theater since 2015. For the 2024 performance, Director Laura M. Hathaway uses a colorful stage design to highlight Nancy’s fancy world. The lyrics by Susan DiLallo and the music by Danny Abosch set a playful and energetic tone, infusing fun and movement to the play with the catchy songs and the amusing dances. The energy on stage is contagious and the audience—both kids and adults—ends up singing and dancing to the tunes.
The musical is based on the book Fancy Nancy and the Mermaid Ballet, one in a series of books about Nancy. The play captures the fantastical world of the six-year-old and her friends. It’s a fun and simple story with a heartfelt message at the center, an ideal excuse to get out of the house and bring the kids to the theatre to experience a live performance of one the most famous and loved characters in recent history.
Fancy Nancy, The Musical
Chance Theater @ Bette Aitken Theater Arts Center on the Cripe Stage
5522 E. La Palma Ave.,
Anaheim, CA 92807
Performances: May 24 – June 9, 2024
Fridays 7 p.m (only May 24), Saturdays at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 4 p.m., and 6 p.m. & Sundays at 1 p.m., 4 p.m., and 6 p.m.
Tickets: chancetheater.com
Book & lyrics by Susan DiLallo. Music by Danny Abosch. Directed by Laura M. Hathaway. Music direction by Robyn Manion. Based on the popular “Fancy Nancy‘ books by Jane O’Connor and illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser. Based on original staging by Kelly Todd. Executive Season Producers: Bette & Wylie Aitken. Associate Season Producers: The Family of Mary Kay Fyda-Mar.
Cast: Jillian Batt/Kristin Cortines (Nancy), Juliet Parker/Zoe Godfrey-Grinage (Bree), Fiona Burrows/Cecily Dowd (Rhonda), Alyssa Corella/Claire Manson (Wanda), Matt Takahashi/Elijah Douglas (Lionel), Katelyn Spurgin/Haley Katherine (Mrs. Clancy).
Creative team: Scenic Designer: Megan Hill. Costume Designer: Christina Marie Perez. Lighting Designer: Masako Tobaru. Stage Manager: Ben Green.
