The Nutcracker

It's hard to believe that Winter Break is in less than a week. This last week before Christmas is usually when it gets really crazy around my house. Last minute shopping, everyone is on the phone to make plans for Christmas, and present wrapping -- it could be said that this last week before Christmas, my entire room is covered in wrapping paper, ribbon, gift bags, candy canes, etc... But this last week is the most fun for me because everyone's bustling around and it just feels like Christmas. Especially because this year, it just hasn't really felt like Christmas for me because there's been so many things going on lately, it's like, "Where did the time before Christmas go?" And also, the weather hasn't really been cooperating. Sixty degree weather one day and forty degree weather another day without snow doesn't really make it feel all Christmas-sy. But this last week before Christmas feels a lot better than the last few weeks.

Yesterday, my parents and I went to see The Nutcracker at Olney Theatre. It was really, really terrific. It was a small and local production, but nonetheless, I loved it. And also despite that little girl who sat in front of me and squirmed around and whispered to her dad the entire first act. But again, nonetheless, I really enjoyed it.

The Nutcracker is the story of a little girl, Clara, who receives a nutcracker on Christmas Eve. Her brother breaks the nutcracker and Clara is distraught. However, that night, she sneaks downstairs to find her broken nutcracker and falls asleep. She dreams of a faraway land, where the nutcracker transforms into a handsome prince. Clara meets the Snow Queen and her snowflakes while walking through the pine forest. In the second act, Clara travels with the Nutcracker prince to the Land of Sweets, where she meets the Sugar Plum Fairy, who sends for entertainment for Clara. There are dancing chocolates form Spain, dancing coffee from Arabia, dancing tea from China, and candy canes from Russia. Danish shepherdesses and Mother Gigogne and her children also come as well as dancing flowers. The grande finale is the grande pas de deux, a dance performed by the Sugar Plum Fairy and her cavelier.

I thought that the ballet was just fantastic. It was funny, well-done, and the dancing was beautiful. Also, I loved the little kids who performed. They were adorable! Especially Madame Gigogne's son. So cute. The entire prodcution was one of those things that just makes you happy and makes you feel all Christmas-sy. It was a great way to enjoy the last week before Christmas.

I actually still cannot believe that there's only about a week before Christmas. I hope you're enjoying your last week before Christmas! Here's a trailer of Olney's The Nutcracker production.