See The Nutcracker Ballet With Family

When my children were younger, our family would head out to watch a local production of the Nutcracker Ballet.
Seeing a live production is an anticipated event, and each time we see it we enjoy the new twists that each choreographer and company applies.
Many of the scenes center around a huge Christmas tree, and a family gathered round, and local productions have places on stage for lots of children, so you may spot someone you know up there.
There are dances for all different tastes, with exciting sword fights between the Nutcracker Prince and the Mouse King, and their allies, and humorous dances by Russian, Chinese and Spanish dancers. The Sugar Plum Fairy has a lovely starring role.
My family always got swept up in the drama, love, sweat and creativity of each staging.
Now, the brilliant production starring and choreographed by Mikhail Baryshnikov, is available on DVD. This is the best selling ballet video of all time, with Gelsey Kirkland playing Clara, the young girl at the center of the drama.
If you want to try something new that will spark up your holiday, get tickets to a local production of the Nutcracker Ballet, and consider buying the DVD to watch at leisure.
Be careful, because like me, this might lead to a colorful collection of wooden Nutcrackers to display in your home!
Do any of you have favorite Christmas shows or events you care to share with us here?
That would be great.

Family Christmas Habit, The Nutcracker Ballet

Over the years our family has attended many local productions of the Nutcracker ballet. This ballet appeals to lots of people, especially children, with its exuberant dances, sword fighting, and armies of nutcrackers fighting mice soldiers. The story centers around the young girl, Clara, whose mysterious uncle gives her a nutcracker as a gift. The nutcracker transforms into a prince who fights the evil mouse king, to protect Clara.

The ballet has colorful and elaborate costumes and lovely dancing, with a Victorian family gathering around the Christmas tree, a Snow Queen, sugar plum fairy, toys coming to life and waltzing flowers among the many roles for dancers.

As you can see from the photo we have been adding wooden nutcrackers as Christmas decorations for 15 years, and our collection includes a lion, a Scottish golfer, a Santa dressed in white, and many other nutcrackers for display on the fireplace mantle.