The Nutcracker Ballet

Last night I revived a Christmas tradition with Madelyn that I enjoyed from my childhood. I took her to her first professional production of the Nutcracker Ballet.

When I was 5 years old my Grandparents took me to the Nutcracker. I still remember getting dressed up and driving to the Mc Cormick Place in downtown Chicago for a matinee. Not only did we see the Nutcracker but they took me down Michigan Avenue to see the Christmas lights, to Marshall Fields to see the window displays and to the Daley Plaza to see biggest Christmas tree I'd ever seen.

I loved ballet and the Nutcracker so much that my Grandparents bought me Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite on vinyl so that I could dance to it when ever I wanted. They had also recorded the Nutcracker Ballet on VHS starring Mikhail Baryshnikov and Gelsey Kirkland which coincidentally was produced and filmed in 1977, the year I was born. I still have the VHS tape, the vinyl record sadly is long gone.

The 5th year of my life was an eventful one. I was in Kindergarten, I was also taking my first year of ballet and my parents divorced. I wish I could say I saw the Nutcracker every Christmas... but I didn't. Unfortunately, my Grandma passed away when I was 7 and a few years later my lonely Grandpa retired, remarried and moved to Tucson. I took ballet, tap and jazz for 11 years. One year, when I was in 6th grade I danced on pointe to Waltz of the Flowers! (which for those of you who don't know, is from the Nutcracker) Thankfully, I did see the Nutcracker a few times over the years. I saw it at the Chicago Theater with my Dad and at the Rialto Theater in Joliet with my Mom. I always loved it no matter where I saw it. When Mike & I got together in 1995, being the good boyfriend that he was, went with me to see it at Mc Cormick Place and never complained.

I had always dreamt having a daughter. Once Madelyn was born I couldn't wait to put her in ballet class or to take her to the Nutcracker... but of course I had to wait for her be an age where she could appreciate it. (Of course Mikayla is still too young.) A couple weeks ago I saw a commercial advertising the Sarasota Ballet Company's production of the Nutcracker. At 6 years old and with one year of dance lessons under her belt, I felt that this was our year! To my delight, I learned that the Sarasota Ballet Company is highly acclaimed in the world of ballet. I expected a small production but I knew it was going to be good!

Last night it was chilly and raining; as close to winter as Florida gets. Madelyn and I got dressed up and drove to the Sarasota Opera House in downtown Sarasota for the 7 o'clock show. It brought tears to my eyes the moment the familiar music began. The curtain went up and Madelyn's "ooos" and "ahhhs" elated me. She was just as mesmerized as I was when I was her age. I was absolutely overjoyed to share this experience with her.

It was such a wonderful night. The Sarasota Ballet Company's production was beautiful! The costumes and sets were stunning. I was also impressed by the young talent that is in our community! The dancers made every pirouette, fouette en tournant and grande jete look effortless. It was just beautiful. I hope that Madelyn and I, (eventually Mikayla too) can see the Nutcracker every Christmas.

There was no photography or recording of any kind allowed during the performance. I was so tempted but out of my undying respect for the Nutcracker and it's performers, I honored that decree. At the end while the dancers were enjoying their applause and taking their bows... I took just one... without a flash. This was only 1/2 of the cast from ACT II. There were others that ran across the stage quickly and the many of the children from ACT I had most likely been dismissed to rest up for today's performances.

Brilliant, just brilliant!