As you all know it's that time of year again. The holidays were always special to me growing up. As kids we would make our Christmas lists every year hoping that we would receive every single thing on it. We'd decorate the house, visit both of our grandparents and attend church for our Christmas program where we learned about the birth of Christ. Looking back besides the awesome birth of Christ the second best thing about these holidays were and are family time. That same value was greatly implemented in this years Nutcracker ballet brought on by BalletMet. I was able to share this experience with a family friend, my grandma and mother. (pictured above) As you all know memorable moments are priceless and before the ballet I had a memorable moment. I was walking down the stairs to use the restroom and before I knew it I was tumbling down the stairs. I heard everyone behind me gasp. As I stood up embarrassed all I could do was laugh. As crazy as it may seem some moments like these make things worth looking back on. After my mishap it was time for the show to start.
Going back to when we first approached the theater you could feel the season of Christmas if that makes sense lol. There were families, lights and so many decorations. I love this story because it's also one that you could read in a story book. Have you ever went to sleep and had a dream so real that you went back to sleep just to try and continue the dream? That's what this amazing story reminds me of. It begins on the night of a party with the Stahlbaum family who receive a visit from their family friend. Drosselmeyer, the family friend has always brought them a special present. This year he brings young Clara a beautiful Spanish doll. Even though she loves the doll, she cannot play with it. I had some similar porcelain dolls that my parents always kept on the shelf. Drosselmeyer ends up giving her a wonderful Nutcracker doll which her little brother envies. So much that he ends up finding a rat to tease her with after accidentally breaking the doll.
After everyone leaves the party it's time for bed. After falling asleep, Clara hears something strange and wakes up. She runs downstairs just to make sure that her Nutcracker doll is okay. She finds him and falls asleep on the couch, and so the dream begins. The house begins transforming around her as the mice king and his minions attempt to steal the Nutcracker doll from her. The amazing thing about the arts is the way that we are able to comprehend the story line with the dancing, music and no words. It's an amazing experience.
The doll soon comes to life and scares the mice away, but just for a moment. The toy soldiers now battle the mice as things get intense. At one point they almost defeated and Clara helps bring victory! After, she realizes that she helped set the prince free who was trapped inside of the Nutcracker doll. The prince is able to return home to the land of the Sugar Plum Fairy where there is a celebration in her honor.
She soon has to wake up which we all have dreaded at times during our dreams, but there's reality. The thing about dreams is you have no control, but when you live in reality you have the ability to make your life better than what you've ever dreamed of.
By now you guys should know that I love music and that is still one of my favorite parts. Hearing the live music is one of my favorite parts of coming to the ballet performances. The music was so relaxing that close to the end my grandmother fell asleep. I and most of the people there were adults, but it's moments like these that are able to take us back to beautiful childhood moments. I am so glad that this was a family show because I was able to share it with my family and create more memories. If you weren't able to make it to this show there is always next year and you definitely don't want to miss it! Just like classic movies such as It's a wonderful life, Home alone, The Christmas story and more, the Nutcracker will never be outplayed!
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