Nutcracker Time!

I haven't even gotten pictures of Thanksgiving up yet, and here I am posting Nutcracker pictures. KD, you've got my back on this one, right? ::wink::

MooMoo, Poodle and I went last weekend to a Saturday matinee performance with the Ms. Metro school. It was fantastic! I was really impressed with the dancers, the way they were able to make a tiny stage work for a full cast, the bang-up organization of the moms who had several fund-raisers running seamlessly at the same time. Some of the staging wasn't on my favorite list, BUT, I'm partial to Miss Jozia's adaptation of the choreography. Especially now. Anyway - it was still good despite my sentimental preferences. They had Dr. Drosselmeir behave as a bit of a fop and a dandy with a strong preference for adult beverages... which is fine, and can be humorous. But, I'm used to seeing him as a magical sort of fellow - sometimes with a strong preference for the ladies. If you know what I mean!!! Hmm? Hmm? I just don't like the dandy portrayal. It's too..... Oh, I don't know. Not mystical and magical enough. For me. I'm not the end-all-be-all of dance critique.

Overall - I really enjoyed it. The college students they brought home to dance Snow and Sugar Plum were beautiful!!! And it's obvious that this dance school is giving good instruction and proper technique. They're also getting excellent performance experience.

As much as I appreciated last year's "Nutcracker", I was more comfortable with this year's performance. And we had a wonderful time!!! Plus, Jmk got to be in the woods and GaGa watched Toot at the house, so everyone was having a good time. :-)

And, for those who didn't know, according to Poodle, Snow Queen is apparently Snow White's mommy. ::wink::





This is a picture of Poodle as the curtain was coming up. It doesn't do justice to the wonder that was actually in her eyes.














This lovely girl was one of the Flowers from Act 2. Poodle was quite pleased to get to talk to her.

















They had these life-sized Nutcrackers outside the door to the auditorium where the performance was being held. Poodle got a little lovin' in before we left!