PNB does it best

Last night, The Nutcracker! It still seems as magical to me as it did when I was a little ballerina...my heart is stirred every year with a pang of longing and regret that after ten years of dancing, I quit to pursue other sports (running, mostly.) It was my dream for a long time to be a part of this cast one day. I really think Seattle does it best...I love the sets & costumes by Maurice Sendak and the choreography matches Tchaikovsky's symphony so well. I know many who grew up with more traditional performances can be shocked at some of the variations in this version, but to me it is quintessentially Seattle...and an essential part of our family's holiday season! (I think we've only missed one performance in the entire run of the ballet.)


The party scene is one of my favorites...



Michael loves the Harlequins and the Chinese Dragon...


My dad loves the Waltz of the Flowers...


And my mom watches Clara & The Nutcracker Prince carefully to make sure he isn't a "weenie prince." (Stanko Milov passed the test with flying colors.)


As far back as I can remember, I longed to be the beautiful, sexy Peacock...

It was so fun to run into many friends before and after the performance...now to bask in the glow until next year.