Theatre NOVA presents:

DJ WHITTINGTON'S KOOL KAT:

A HIP-HOP PANTO 

by Carla Milarch & R. MacKenzie Lewis

December 12, 2025 - January 4, 2026 

​Based on the beloved fairytale, Dick Whittington’s Cat!

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The holiday hilarity of our annual Panto returns. Bring the whole family to this rollicking all-ages entertainment with a hip-hop twist. Cheer the hero, boo the villain, and enjoy original tunes and kid-friendly parodies of popular hip-hop songs -- set to The Kool Kat’s sick beats. 

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Directed and music directed by Mike Sandusky, the cast features Mike Sandusky, Mo Murray, and Alaina Kerr. The production team includes Jade Guerriero (lights), Mary Perrin (costumes/props), and Briana O’Neal (set/stage manager).

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Photos by Sean Carter Photography

What Audiences Are Saying: 

As always, the holiday panto was absurd, funny and full of candy!

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Funny witty great writing actors were wonderful loved the candy great interactions with audiences

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Really enjoyed it. Fantastic writing and execution by the performers. I really loved the Hamilton adaptation!

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Very fun and entertaining. I loved how the actors engaged the audience.

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Terrific acting, dancing, singing, excellent costumes, set, lighting, sound.

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Spunky panto! My wife and I have attended 4 previous ones

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I love this panto. The voices were marvelous and the storyline engaging!

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This is my third Panto I’ve seen-my favorite one. Very unique and clever.

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What a delightful romp through almost 2 hours of laughter! The actors were incredible and so very versatile. Not a dull moment was had! Thank you for the great entertainment!

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It was amazing!! The acting and singing was all top notch! Alaina Kerr is a superstar with a voice that can dazzle any audience. She has a Whitney Houston voice!!

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My family and I love it! During Covid I was able to share with my extended but out of state family and it was a hit across the US. My parents moved to Ohio from England and loved the pantos they attended as children in the UK.

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 I thought the show was terrific. The singing was great, the energy of the players who were dancing and singing and changing costumes every two minutes was amazing. I loved the spontaneous interaction with the audience and the moments where participation was encouraged. It was fun to be encouraged to be silly.

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Entertaining as usual! Brought the grandkids, thought the 2 year old might not make it through the whole performance but both kids loved it!

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We loved it!! I have a son that is 9 and specifically went because it was hip hop related as I try to find cultural events that celebrate black culture/arts/history. It exceeded my expectations…hilarious, participatory, kid friendly, GREAT acting, fun music. We have been to different kinds of performances but only one other play and he actually asked today if we could see more plays! I’ll have a hard time finding one that is such a good fit. More pantos please if that’s what they’re supposed to be like! I would see this one again next year too and bring family. So good.

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The show was great! The Theater Nova holiday Panto has become a family tradition and we attend each year with our kids.