Welcome to a dazzling new chapter in downtown Portland’s performance legacy. After four years of renovation, the historic Paris Theatre has been reborn as a stunning home for original cabaret and dance theatre. With this revival, we are proud to present ’Twas the Night Before Nutcracker, a bold adaptation of a holiday classic that blends elegance, humor, high kicks, and holiday spirit. Now, we introduce the exceptional cast whose talent, creativity, and stage presence encapsulate the excitement of this landmark transformation.

Luna Lynn Day

THECANCAN.COM: Tell us a little about your background before joining Can Can. What kinds of performance or creative work have you done in the past?

Luna : My very first job out of college was dancing on a cruise ship in the Baltic Sea, which was pretty cool. After that, I lived in New York for a while teaching dance and acrobatics in every single borough. Then I moved cross-country to Portland, where I discovered burlesque. I’ve been performing as a burlesque artist for the past few years and have also produced some cabaret shows.

I have a lot of creative side projects. I’m a musician working on my debut EP, a visual artist, and a painter. I’m also an aspiring costumer and make many of my own costumes. I could go on and on. I’m an artist through and through.

THECANCAN.COM: What drew you to be part of ’Twas the Night Before Nutcracker and this new chapter for Can Can in Portland?

Luna: I’ve been a fan of Can Can Seattle for several years now. I want to say the first show I saw was Lola, maybe back in 2022. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of seeing a few different productions. They’re always so entertaining, polished, well-choreographed, and well-produced.

I’m a big fan of watching them, so when I heard they were coming to Portland, I absolutely wanted to be part of the vision. Luckily, here I am as part of the cast. It’s really exciting, and I can’t wait for ’Twas the Night Before Nutcracker to premiere in November.

THECANCAN.COM: What part of the rehearsal process or show development are you most excited about right now?

Luna: Probably two things. Number one is the costumes. I’m a very visual person, and seeing and wearing them gets me excited. It helps me set the tone for how I want to dance in a piece or in the show. And second, I’m the “tap dancing tease,” and I’ll be contributing a little bit of tap to the show. That’s super exciting. I’m thrilled to represent the genre and contribute in my own way.

Resa La Revv

THECANCAN.COM: Before joining Can Can, what kind of performing arts or creative experiences shaped your career?

Resa: I started out as a ballet kid. I did ballet, jazz, and a little bit of tap growing up, but mostly ballet. I joined a professional company when I was a teenager and danced there until I was about 21. Then I moved to Orlando and performed in dinner theaters much like Can Can. This is definitely coming back to my roots in a way, doing adult-themed dinner theater with dancing, which I did when I was 22 or 23. I also danced at Universal Studios as a Beauxbatons and in other roles.

When I moved to Portland, I joined BodyVox, where I’ve been for six years. It’s a contemporary company that’s also very theatrical. I draw a lot from my ballet roots, including classical lines, good technique, and a lyrical dance style with a lot of theatricality. I’ve also done a lot of musical theater, so humor and playfulness are a big part of my work too.

THECANCAN.COM: What does it mean to you to help launch a brand-new show in a historic theatre?

Resa: It’s really exciting. I think of Portland as my home now, since I’ve lived here for seven years. It’s a huge deal to know the history of the Paris Theater and get to be part of starting a new chapter in its life.

It’s also exciting to be on the ground floor of a new project in downtown Portland, helping to revitalize the area and bring art, energy, and vitality back.

THECANCAN.COM: How would you describe the energy within the cast as everyone prepares for opening?

Resa: Overall, it’s very positive and also very chill. This is a group of seasoned performers, and most of us already know each other from Portland’s performance and burlesque scenes. That familiarity has made the transition really smooth. It’s been comforting to work with people we already know, love, and respect. It makes learning choreography and experimenting with ideas much easier. There’s a great mix of excitement and calm confidence in the room, which I love.

Isaiah Esquire

THECANCAN.COM: You’ve been a major part of Portland’s performance scene. What led you to join Can Can for this production?

Isaiah: I’ve been part of Portland’s performance scene for most of my life as a dancer, teacher, producer, curator, mentor, and creative activist. Being part of this show and returning to a theater I’ve performed in before, when it was a different version of itself, felt really meaningful.

I’ve invested so much of my time and heart into this scene, and I thought it was important to be part of this first production. I hope that over time the cast will continue to grow even more diverse, and I’m excited to be an ambassador to help more people feel welcome and celebrated in this space.

**THECANCAN.COM: ’Twas the Night Before Nutcracker blends classic inspiration with fresh ideas. What about that approach resonates with you?**

Isaiah: I’ve been a dancer most of my life, studying African, contemporary, jazz, heels, and lots of hip-hop. I never had the chance to take formal ballet classes, so this is a new experience for me.

I’ve watched many versions of The Nutcracker, both ballet and hip-hop interpretations, but I’ve never performed in one. I’m really excited to finally bring my own style into it.

THECANCAN.COM: What are you most looking forward to sharing with Portland audiences this season?

Isaiah: I’m excited to show what it looks like to be a true individual within an ensemble, to demonstrate that you can be unique and different while still blending beautifully into a collective. It’s a celebration of individuality and unity all at once.

Johnny Nuriel

THECANCAN.COM: Can you tell us about your journey as a performer and what brought you to the Can Can stage?

Johnny: Absolutely. I’ve lived and performed in Portland for many years and have had the opportunity to perform across the country and on several continents.

When I first learned that Can Can was opening in Portland, I was excited about the beautiful influx of art and culture it would bring to downtown. I knew I wanted to be part of that. After meeting with the team, I immediately felt a shared vision and values, creating a space where audiences can relax, let go of their worries, and be transported into a magical world for the evening. Can Can was a natural fit for me as a performer, and I’m thrilled to be on board.

THECANCAN.COM: As can can brings this original production to Portland for the first time, what excites you most about being part of that debut?

Johnny: Being maybe the biggest, tallest, gayest thing you’ve ever met, I consider myself a beacon of queer hope and light in this community. I’m honored to bring my unique, fabulous self to the stage and to be part of the very first run of shows here. It’s a powerful statement to have so much queer joy and presence in this production.

THECANCAN.COM: What do you hope audiences feel or take away from this show?

Johnny: My hope is that people leave feeling more uplifted than when they arrived. We’re living in unprecedented times, and everyone is carrying something heavy. If this show allows people to set that down for a while, to experience joy, hope, and connection, then we’ve done something truly special.

Jordie Campbell

THECANCAN.COM: What was your path into performing before joining Can Can, and how has that experience shaped your artistry?

Jordie: I followed the gymnastics to dance to circus pipeline. With dance, I trained in contemporary, jazz, hip-hop, and breakdance, incorporating acrobatics from my gymnastics background. When I discovered circus, it brought everything together. It’s such a broad discipline, and I’ve been able to blend movement quality, dance technique, and acrobatics into my aerial and contortion work.

**THECANCAN.COM: What stands out to you about ’Twas the Night Before Nutcracker as a new take on a holiday classic?**

Jordie: A few things stand out. The production value is amazing, with incredible props, costuming, and an overall vibe that feels both classic and fresh. There are nods to the traditional Nutcracker, but it’s cheekier and more fun. I’m really looking forward to the unique spin they’re putting on it.

THECANCAN.COM: How has it felt stepping into the rehearsal room and building something entirely new with this ensemble?

Jordie: It’s been great. Everyone’s been really welcoming. There are a few artists I’ve worked with before here in Portland, and a few new faces too. It’s a tight-knit cast, and the directors have been wonderful to work with. There’s a real sense of collaboration. Everyone’s bringing different strengths, and I’m really enjoying the creative process.

Abby GoLucky

THECANCAN.COM: Before joining Can Can, what kinds of training or creative work helped shape you as a performer?

Abbe: I started out as a theater major at Willamette University, which was recognized as one of the best theater schools in the country at the time. I took all the core acting classes, including movement, diction, and Meisner technique, and then shifted to studying music.

I’ve taken private voice lessons since I was 16 and earned a master’s degree in vocal arts while training to be an opera singer. Eventually, I realized I enjoyed musical theater and burlesque much more than the high-pressure opera world. Since then, I’ve done professional theater work in Portland and Los Angeles, taken dance and improv classes, and done all kinds of performance training because I truly love it.

**THECANCAN.COM: What excites you most about being part of ’Twas the Night Before Nutcracker as it premieres in Portland?**

Abbe: What excites me most is having a full-time performing job, getting to sing, dance, and create costumes. It’s literally my dream job. And the people I’m working with are wonderful.

THECANCAN.COM: What do you love most about working in a collaborative, ensemble-based production like this one?

Abbe: I love that it’s actually collaborative and ensemble-based. So many companies claim to value collaboration but don’t live it. Here, my ideas are truly considered and sometimes celebrated, which I think leads to the best work.

When everyone listens to and respects each other’s expertise, the whole production benefits. I’m thrilled to be part of a company that treats its performers this way and delivers on its promises.

Join us at the historic Paris Theatre for a holiday experience filled with sparkle, laughter, and a touch of mischief. Tickets for ’Twas the Night Before Nutcracker are on sale now.

Book Tickets

Portland’s Paris Theatre Reawakens: Meet the Cast of ’Twas the Night Before Nutcracker