Entertainment
Jim Camacho Brings Holiday Magic to Life as Composer and Producer of Mouse King 🎄🐭
The holiday season is in full swing, and so is the enchanting, family-friendly musical Mouse King—a lively reimagining of The Nutcracker told from the point of view of the mice! This beloved South Florida holiday tradition is taking the stage once again, thanks to the creative partnership between award-winning composer and producer Jim Camacho and celebrated puppeteer Noel MacNeal, whose previous work includes Sesame Street, The Muppets, and Bear in the Big Blue House.
Jim Camacho has worked tirelessly to compose an original, captivating score that enhances this imaginative twist on the classic Nutcracker story. Known for his work on The Cavie Islanders & The Troll, The Princess of Vannehooda, and Ghost Ship, Camacho’s ability to blend theatricality with emotional depth shines through in the vibrant music and production of Mouse King. His unique style promises to deliver an unforgettable experience for audiences of all ages.
“We’ve taken the heart of The Nutcracker and flipped it on its head—this time, it’s all about the mice!” Camacho said. “With a combination of live action, puppetry, and a dynamic musical score, Mouse King offers something fresh for families looking for a fun and magical holiday experience.”
“I am still so proud and honored that this idea I had ten years ago has and continues to delight families for the holiday season as a South Miami tradition,” says MacNeal.
Camacho says he is “so grateful that 10 years ago the Mandelstam theater took a chance on this show and Mouse King made it from the page to the stage. The kids’ enthusiasm and energy bring this show to life.”
Camacho adds that “With its soaring villains, captivating magical mice, and a heartfelt message, Mouse King brings the key to Christmas to life – and that ‘Key’ is love.” A prolific composer, Camacho also wrote the musicals Fools’ Paradise, which enjoyed a run off-Broadway, The Cavie Islanders and the Troll, and The Guru of Gir, among others.
A Tale of Mice and Magic
For those new to Mouse King, the show offers a thrilling twist on the traditional Nutcracker story. Mouse King introduces the audience to the tale from the perspective of the mice, blending live action, captivating puppets, and dazzling multimedia elements. Written by Noel MacNeal and featuring Camacho’s original music, this adaptation is an imaginative exploration of the beloved holiday classic.
The show features an ensemble cast that includes children from the Miami community, alongside professional puppeteers and guest artists from New York City. The result is a lively, fun-filled, and heartwarming performance that promises to delight both children and adults alike.
Performance Schedule:
- Thursday, December 12, 2024 – 10:00 AM
- Friday, December 13, 2024 – 7:00 PM
- Saturday, December 14, 2024 – 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM
- Sunday, December 15, 2024 – 7:00 PM
Ticket Information: Tickets for Mouse King are now on sale at MouseKingTickets.com. With limited seats available, make sure to secure your spot for this magical holiday event. All children, regardless of age, require a ticket. The show is 60 minutes long with no intermission, perfect for young audiences aged 3 and up.
Meet the Creative Minds Behind Mouse King
Composer and producer Jim Camacho’s work has always been deeply rooted in the belief that music can be both entertaining and meaningful. “In Mouse King, we’re not just telling a story; we’re creating an immersive experience that celebrates the joy and wonder of the holiday season,” said Camacho.
Puppeteer and writer Noel MacNeal adds, “The story of The Nutcracker has enchanted families for generations. With Mouse King, we wanted to offer a new perspective, one that honors the magic of the original while giving audiences a fresh, fun take on this holiday favorite.”
Follow Mouse King on social media to stay up to date on all the latest news and exclusive behind-the-scenes content:
- Twitter: @The_Mouse_King
Experience the holiday magic of Mouse King this season—where the mice finally tell their side of the story!
ABOUT JIM CAMACHO (DIRECTOR, MUSIC & LYRICS)
JIM CAMACHO is a prolific singer-songwriter. He has written and co-written numerous songs for national and international recording artists and over a dozen musicals. His initial foray into the musical theater realm began with FOOLS’ PARADISE, which played to sold out workshops in New York and ran as a full production in Miami. He scored MICKEY HERMAN SAVES THE $#&@ WORLD and contributed music to RPM, both which played at the Adrienne Arsht Center, as well as REMNANTS AND REBUILD which premiered at the South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center, now the Moss Center. Jim’s songs have been featured in several movie and TV soundtracks including TOM DOWD AND THE LANGUAGE OF MUSIC and PRETTY LITTLE LIARS. A performer himself, Jim has been featured in a VH1 documentary and has created a YouTube series entitled ADVENTURES IN SONGWRITING, where he interviews guest artists, and together they write and perform an original song in only 30 minutes. Jim’s musical, THE CAVIE ISLANDERS and THE TROLL, will be performed at the Mandelstam Theater in April of 2024. www.JimCamacho.com
ABOUT NOEL MACNEAL (CONCEIVED BOOK & LYRICS)
Creator/writer NOEL MACNEAL started on SESAME STREET working alongside Jim Henson, Frank Oz, and Carroll Spinney. Noel is the author of two how-to books 10-MINUTE PUPPETS and BOX. He came up with the idea of MOUSE KING because he’s loved THE NUTCRACKER ever since his mom took him to see a New York City Ballet performance. Noel began to wonder, “Why are the Prince and the Mouse King fighting?
What’s the other side of this story? What does it look like from the perspective of the mice?” Noel is thrilled and honored that The Mandelstam Theater has brought his concept to life.
ABOUT JAMES WOJTAL JR. (PUPPETEER FOR MOUSERICK AND LARGE NUTCRACKER)
JAMES WOJTAL JR. is an accomplished puppet designer and builder. He has created puppets for countless productions, including SESAME STREET, BEAR IN THE BIG BLUE HOUSE and MOUSE KING. As a performer he has worked on SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, LAST WEEK TONIGHT WITH JOHN OLIVER, THE SMURF MOVIE, JOHN TARTAGLIA’S IMAGINOCEAN on Broadway, and BOO AT THE ZOO at the Bronx Zoo. When he is not building, he trains puppeteers for Carnival and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines.
