The Nutcracker review

On Saturday Melinda, Mom, and I went to see the Nutcracker at the Center for the Arts (CFTA). Melinda and I haven't been there in FOREVER! My Uncle John used to take us to plays there all the time when we were little. He would also take us to dinner at Ponderosa before the show then we would run around the exhibits at the CFTA until it was time for the show to start. One of the highlights of going to the CFTA was the video explaining the pendulum because it had our Grandfather in it. Since he died when we were really little, it was fun to watch the video and be able to see him.

So on Saturday before the Nutcracker we had dinner at Ponderosa. It isn't the best restaurant in town, but it is sort of tradition. It was a nice meal. Then we headed to the theater. We wanted to get there early to get a decent parking spot. We ended up with a pretty good spot. We were disappointed though when we went inside that they didn't have the video for the pendulum turned on. Bummer. We had to wait about twenty minutes before we were let into the theater.

It was just as I remembered it. Ugly! The seats are a bright greenish. The carpet is an orangy red. The doors and curtains are a dark red. The ceiling is really crazy and I can't even think of how to describe it. All together its very tacky and ugly. They really need to update it.

Our seats were in row W, which was further back than I would have liked, but they were nearly dead center. It was a packed house. We had a great view of the entire stage, which is what I wanted. While we were waiting for the show to start Melinda thought she saw her best friend about 6 rows ahead of us and sure enough it was her. There were too many people to go down to say "hi."

The show was amazing. The dancers were terrific. The costumes were gorgeous. The set was really pretty too. There were lots of effects with smoke, fog, etc. I think my favorite part was the Snow Queen with the Snowflakes and Wind. Just gorgeous! The orchestra was amazing as well. I was just in awe the entire show. It was beautiful. Though Melinda and I did notice one small mistake by the Nutcracker, but he covered it up quite nicely. It went really quick. I didn't want it to end. It was fabulous!

After the show we caught up with Melinda's friend and chatted with her for a few minutes. But it was late and we wanted to get home so we could go to bed to get up early for church the next morning.

Overall it was a wonderful evening. I feel so blessed to live in an area that supports the arts and can bring put on such amazing shows.

Now I must go to bed so I can get up early for work since there will be tons of snow on the ground. Oh what fun! NOT!!!!

Later,
Melissa