One-Man Nutcracker

written & performed by Chris Davis

directed by MK Tuomanen

choreography by Campbell Tosney

sound design by Adriano Shaplin

lighting design by Krista Smith

narrated by Severin Blake

Stage manager - Randi Alexis Hickey

Front of House - Thomas Choinacky

Sound Tech - Chris Sannino, John Kolbinski

Production Manager - Sydney Hughes

Overhire - Noah Mannix

SPECIAL THANKS: Judy’s Christmas, Interact Theater, Valden Kamph, John Kolbinski, Grayce Carson Communications, Ann Garner, Jasmin Carroll, Ci’era Spenser.

Chris Davis (he/him) (writer/performer)

Chris Davis is a writer and performer residing in Philadelphia, PA.  His solo shows have toured throughout the United States and Europe. This is his sixth year presenting One-Man Nutcracker in Center City, Philadelphia.

Recent projects include solo shows One-Man Nutcracker, The 40-Year-Old Ballerino, The Presented (★★★★ - The List), The Last Emperor of Mexico, One-Man Apocalypse Now (★★★★★ - “superbly crafted” - Underdog Reviews), Juan-Winfield, Bortle 8 (“…a strikingly original writer and performer.” - The Scotsman), Drunk Lion (“A potent success” ★★★★★ - Wee Review), and Violence of the Lambs (“…absurd comedy at its very best." ★★★★★ – The Student Newspaper ). He performed in the Edinburgh Fringe from 2014-2019.

Other projects Alchemist with MK Tuomanen (Sep 2017), Peaceable Kingdom (Orbiter 3), Damned Dirty Apes! (Renegade Theater), Alias Ellis Mackenzie (Thaddeus Phillips), Anna K (Philly Fringe 2014), Holly’s Dead Soldiers (Philly Fringe 2013),The Post-Show (Berserker Residents), Vainglorious (Applied Mechanics).  He was selected as one of Billy Penn’s Artists to Watch Out For 2017. 

MK Tuomanen (they/them) (director)

MK Tuomanen is a physical theater artist, educated at the Lecoq School in Paris. Called “Best Theater Artist” by Philadelphia magazine, their directing work has been seen at Under the Radar (La Mama), the Guggenheim Museum (Works and Process), Woolly Mammoth, Cultureworks DC, and through their decades-long collaboration with Chris Davis, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Orbiter 3’s 2017 production of their play Peaceable Kingdom won the Philadelphia Award, and their play Night Science won the Terrence McNally Award in 2024. They have taught solo performance at the Playwright’s Center and playwriting at University of the Arts (RIP). They  just completed a Jerome Fellowship in playwriting in Minneapolis. www.mkplays.com

KRISTA SMITH (SHE/they) (LIGHTING DESIGNER)

Krista Smith (she/they) Philadelphia based Lighting Designer and Artist. Honored to be joining the magic of One-Man-Nutcracker for a 4th year, and wishing a very Happy Holidays to all our arts-supporting cats at home. Recent work Includes: Tell Me Where It Comes From (The Guggenheim), Puntila and Matti, His Hired Man (Bard College), and La Otra (1812 Productions). Krista’s designs have been seen locally at venues including: The Wilma Theater, Arden Theatre Co., Fringe Arts, Theatre Horizon, The Drake, The Icebox, People’s Light Theater, and Theater Exile. Regionally includes: La MaMa, Ars Nova, New York Theater Workshop, The Public Theater, Hartford Stage, Rattlestick Theater, Dorset Theatre, Weston Theater, California Shakespeare Theater, and Yale Repertory Theater. Former Professor at University of the Arts and Teaching Artist at Colgate University, Auburn University, and Rutgers University. BA San Francisco State University, MFA Yale School of Drama. Proud member USA 829 www.KristaSmithLD.com

ADRIANO SHAPLIN (HE/HIM) (SOUND DESIGNER)

ADRIANO is a Barrymore award-winning sound designer, a playwright, and a performer. In Philadelphia Adriano has designed sound for Lee Minora (White Feminist), Ninth Planet (Homeworld), Annie Wilson (Bilialien, At Home with the Humorless Bastard, Lovertits), Applied Mechanics (We Are Bandits, Some Other Meddle), Quintessence Theater Group (The Wild Duck, Saint Joan), Berserker Residents (It’s So Learning), Mary Tuomanen (Hello! Sadness!), and Chris Davis (Bortle 8, One-Man Apocalypse Now). adrianoshaplin.com

SEVERIN BLAKE (THEY/ALL/WE) (NARRATOR)

Severin Blake is a writer and interdisciplinary artist. The work they create interrogates language, imagery, and time. They write in response to the world(s) they see around and within them. They strive to facilitate intentional spaces of bravery, vulnerability and joy making. As a performer Severin has appeared on stage at InterAct, Orbiter 3, Simpatico, PolyGlamourous, Philadelphia Artists Collective, Philadelphia Asian Performing Artists, CCTC, Theatre Exile, StageWest, People’s Productions, Alma’s Engine and in exhibition at the PMA. They’ve created original roles in collaboration with Headlong Dance Theater (incubated artist), Annie Wilson, Swim Pony, The Painted Bride, Perfect Day, Black Best Friend and Applied Mechanics (Company Member.) www.severinblake.com

CAMPBELL TOSNEY (SHE/HER) (CHOREOGRAPHER)

Campbell Tosney began dancing at the age of three, later competing with the Dance Theatre of New Jersey Company for six years, winning numerous scholarships. She has attended intensives at the Joffrey School, Broadway Dance Center, Point Park University, and Complexions Contemporary Ballet, and eventually discovered a love for choreography. From 2015-2022, she worked on multiple age-ranging productions with theaters in the Northern Jersey area. In 2018, Campbell attended Temple University where she received her BFA in Dance in May of 2022. While at Temple, she maintained positions on the Temple Dance Production Crew and Boyer Alumni Association as the student liaison. Campbell danced with Kun-Yang Lin Dancers as an apprentice from 2022-2023 and was their technical director for the Inhale Performance Series shows from 2022-2024.

RANDI ALEXIS HICKEY (SHE/HER) (STAGE MANAGER)

Randi Alexis Hickey (she/her) is a Philadelphia based stage manager, director, and self producer. She makes new musicals with her company, Apartment 20, and is Metro Philly's Best Pet Sitter for 2025. This is her fifth year with One Man Nutcracker! Up next is Rare Accidents and The Hypochondriac with Quintessence Theatre Group. Learn more at www.randialexishickey.com

THOMAS CHOINACKY (THEY/THEM & HE/HIM) (FRONT OF HOUSE)

Thomas Choinacky (they/them & he/him) is an interdisciplinary artist championing solo performance. They are currently the artist-in-residence at the Leather Archives & Museum. They recently launched Gay Play Club, a platform for gathering and celebrating Philly's unique scene for new performance. First up, is a book club reading queer plays. @gayplayclub

NOAH MANNIX (THEYTHEM) - OVERHIRE

Noah Mannix (they/them) is a playwright, theatermaker, and teaching artist based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Noah is thrilled to be a part of One-Man Nutcracker. Recent projects include The AV Club, a weekly horror theatre collective, and “Noah Mannix lives at the Theatre”, a daily live performance journal. Their poetic ethnography Everybody’s Hometown was presented as a staged reading in November 2024. They were a New Strides commissioned playwright (The Strides Collective), where they wrote the first act of their play 3 Women. They are a member of Azuka Theatre’s Rising Writers program. They studied as a playwright at the National Theatre Institute’s Summer Theatermakers Intensive program, where they were awarded a Miranda Family Fellowship.