Today’s post is dedicated to the theatre.
As in the Nutcracker and the Boston Ballet at the Citizens Bank Opera House. Tonight I #Connected with this century-old ballet and a New England Christmas Classic for over 50 years.
I haven’t seen this Boston Ballet in probably 20 years (wow, I can’t believe that is possible) but it felt so new and fresh and fun to me tonight I couldn’t help but wonder what has changed.
Is it me (am I older and just appreciate the arts more?) or were the dancers more athletic and the scenery more spectacular? Or could it be that since Covid locked down all arts and performances for over a year that I can appreciate the stage in a whole new way?
Whatever it is, it was mesmerizing. Some facts from the performance:
- Approximately 150 dancers are involved in each performance. More than 240 children, all Boston Ballet School students, make up three casts of the production.
- The tree grows to 42 feet 6 inches tall, with 766 fiber optic points and 600 ornaments.
- All of the sets were painted by hand and domestically made.
- 182 costumes appear on stage in a single performance
The best part of the night was overhearing the family behind me whisper every time their daughter was on stage. “There she is!” they said over and over in an excited and loud whisper. “Look at her dance!” they exclaimed with pride.
What a beautiful connection.
The real patron saint of the ballet is my friend Lisa for sharing her tickets with us when she couldn’t attend. Thank you, Lisa! May sugar plums dance in your dreams (and maybe next year we can see it together!).
More tomorrow,
Jamie
The Promise 365 