Festive lights, caroling, baking cookies, and wrapping presents are all wonderful but, for me, December is not complete without seeing
The Nutcracker Ballet. I began taking ballet lessons at age four and didn't completely stop until my knees gave out nearly thirty years later. Some of my favorite holiday memories are of feeling that particular excitement of waiting backstage for YOUR Nutcracker music to begin--of being part of something so magical and beautiful. As an adult, my tastes in ballet have expanded from the great story ballets to also appreciate the experimental and non-narrative, to enjoy modern and ethnic dance forms. Still, I don't think
Nutcracker at Christmastime is something I'll ever outgrow.
There are nearly as many storybook retellings of
The Nutcracker as there are versions of this ballet produced in America. A favorite of mine is the Maurice Sendak-illustrated version. Sendak also designed sets and costumes for the
Pacific Northwest Ballet's gorgeous production.
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE! Hope you're enjoying some of your own festive traditions.
2 comments:
I expect you have great poise, having taken ballet. When I was a little girl I wrote a book about what I'd be when I grew up and I chose ballet dancer, though I was told I would be too tall to become one.
One of my favourite Xmas decorations is our nutcracker dolls. HAPPY CHRISTMAS :O)
Thanks for stopping by, Madeleine. I think tall dancers are fabulous so dance if you like! And Merry Christmas to you, too!
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