BALLET WEST NUTCRACKER

As you all know, I love Christmas, but of course we've already been through all of this. (BTW, only 26 days until Christmas ) But this afternoon I went to see my cute 11-year-old sister in The Ballet West Nutcracker as a Party Girl. Now, I have special connection with the Ballet West Nutcracker because I have been in it for 4 years, and my family has participated in it for 7.

The first year that I was in the Ballet West Nutcracker I was a Party Girl, like my little sister. I was in an adorable blue dress, because I was the "Military/Sailor Girl". I wore my hair in two cute braids on top of my head, tied with silky blue ribbons. The next year I was a lead soldier, as the Drummer, and the next year I was the Rifleman. The Rifleman and Drummer are the two main parts for soldiers, so I guess I'm just especially stiff. The last year I was in it (last year), I was an oriental servant. I wasn't able to be in it this year, due to my broken seismoid. However, I am totally planning on participating next year!

The nutcracker is great. I totally recommend anyone to attend the Ballet West Nutcracker at Christmas time. I love the choreography, the costumes, and everything about it. It makes it so fun to watch, since I've been in it so many times and know a lot of the parts, but it's also fun because I know a lot of the people in the company, and have been taught and made friends with a lot of them. It's fabulous to watch them each year, and see them do their parts. I also attend other Ballet West performences, but The Nutcracker is definetely one of my favorites. It just has that special Christmas spirit, and it also involves dancing, two things that I love! They change little things in The Nutcracker each year, and it's great to watch and see if I can notice them. They have a little Nutcracker Boutique with all sorts of little ornaments and Nutcrackers and snow globes and stuffed animals. I look forward to getting a new thing from the boutique each year to add to my collection of decorations.

The Nutcracker starts out with Drosslemier and his Nephew walking to a family Christmas party one dark, snowy night. There are carolers and someone selling chestnuts waiting outside the host's door, and then they enter the party. Next the party girls and boys come out to the party, and do a few cute little dances. The girls are presented with dolls, and the boys with trumpets. Then the parents come in the room, and they dance and have a good party. Drosslemier presents Clara, the host and hostess' little girl, with a Nutcracker, and she is very excited. Soon the party is over, and Clara sneaks out to sleep on the couch with her nutcracker. She falls into a deep sleep, and her dream comes to life on the stage. Mice and little soldiers are fighting each other, as well as The Nutcracker (which comes to life) and the Mouse King. The Mouse king dies, and the Nutcracker turns into a prince. He takes Clara to the world of Candy land or something like that, and dozens of performers dance for Clara and the Prince.

I highly recommend the Ballet West Nutcracker for the Christmas season! If you are interested in tickets, just call 1-800-355-2787.