Knitting Zeal

Our fun afternoon with the Nutcracker

As one of our holiday festivities, my mom and I took my son to see the Balanchine's Nutcracker performed by the Pennsylvania Ballet.  It has been years since I last saw the Nutcracker, or any ballet performance for that matter, so I was especially excited to see a live performance again.  We were very fortunate to receive complimentary press tickets to the performance from the PA Ballet.  My son had never seen a ballet before, but he has experienced live theater and musicals, so I knew he would be able to handle the performance.  He looked so daper in his "dress" clothes, insisting on wearing a tie instead of the new sweater I knit for him!  

We had the chance to walk around the theatre for a bit before the show started.  We got to wave to the Mouse King and see the orchestra warm up.  Since I had last seen the Nutcracker the set has been redesigned and the costumes updated.  When the Overture began I had a moment of mom-pride when my son leaned over and started identifying the different instruments he was hearing.  (Those baby music classes paid off!) He was enthralled by the performance.  Everything was beautiful!  The Sugar Plum Fairy was performed by Lauren Fadeley, who was stunning.  The battle with the Mouse King and the Nutcracker was funny.  The only part he said he didn't like was the dancer who performed the "Tea" dance.  I love the second act of the Ballet, as it features such great dancing.  Tchiakovsky's score is still my all time favorite holiday music.  Hearing it live was amazing.  

The orchestra warming up

 

While I would have loved to have photographed the performance, it isn't allowed, so we will have to live by memories.  It was a magical performance and I'm so glad my son enjoyed it as well.  I figure I will have a few more years where he'll put up with going to it.  Then I'll have to wait until he is an adult and takes his old mom to the ballet!  

Waiting for the ballet to begin

 

There were many young children dancers in the ballet.  I asked my son if he would like to take dance lessons, but he quickly said no.  He loves to dance, but I think we will stick with soccer and swimming lessons for now!  

Thanks to the Pennsylvania Ballet for a wonderful experience and beautiful performance!

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The mouse king battles the Nutcracker

The mouse king battles the Nutcracker

Before I had a kid, I had a lovely social life that included arts and culture events often.  One of my favorite subscriptions  I had was to the Pennsylvania Ballet.  Copelia was the first ballet I ever saw at the Academy of Music.  With my subscription I got to see Dracula as a ballet!  And almost every December I saw a performance of the Nutcracker.  To me, the music of the Nutcracker is my holiday soundtrack.  It's beautiful to listen to and to see the dancers interpret the music into dance is amazing.

When I had my son I knew my budget and lifestyle would be altered.  I made a mental note that when my son was five he would be old enough to see a performance of the Nutcracker.  Not only would he be able to handle the theatre atmosphere, but he would be young enough to not think ballet is only for girls.  To me, the Nutcracker was all about Marie, the young ballerina who received the Nutcracker as a gift and danced with the Sugar Plum Fairy.  I have changed my outlook on the Nutcracker and am focusing on the Mouse King's battle with the Nutcracker and his victory, in order to show my son that this ballet is for everyone, not just girls.  I think he will be mesmorized by the entire experience.  From the stage, the live orchestra, the Philadelphia Boys Choir singing, and that amazing growing Christmas tree, it will definitely be entertaining to him.

I am excited to have been invited to attend a performance of  George Ballachine's The Nutcracker by the Pennsylvania Ballet with my son in December.  This is the 25th year the PA Ballet has been perfoming this particular ballet and I know it will be just as magical as ever. I've learned that tickets to the Nutcracker start at $20, so it is possible to make this a special gift for a child to experience the Ballet and Theatre.  I can't wait to see his reaction and find out if this could be a new tradition for us, for at least a few years!

 

Artists of Pennsylvania Ballet in George Balanchine's The Nutcracker™, choreography by George Balanchine © The George Balanchine Trust. Photo: Alexander Iziliaev

 

I know it's Nutcracker Season when I spot the Mouse King!

The first time I saw the Nutcracker ballet performed was on a PBS TV special filmed in 1977 with Mikhail Baryshnikov performing as the lead.  I just loved that Christmas ballet and Tchaikovsky’s score. When I was older, I began going to see the Nutcracker ballet performed by the Pennsylvania Ballet at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia. For years, it was a tradition to go with family or friends to see the Nutcracker and that magical growing tree each year.  When I had my son, I recall thinking that when he turned five, he would be old enough to see the Nutcracker performed live.  Since our recent theatre experiences have been so positive, I am excited that this Nutcracker season, he will be five and I can’t wait to start a tradition with him.  It isn’t Christmas to me without seeing a performance of The Nutcracker. 

Artists of Pennsylvania Ballet in George Balanchine's The Nutcracker™, choreography by George Balanchine © The George Balanchine Trust. Photo: Alexander Iziliaev.

This year the Pennsylvania Ballet will be celebrating 25 years of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™!  To kick off Nutcracker Season there will be a special event on Monday June 25 at noon at the Kimmel Center Box Office at Broad and Spruce Street. The first 25 people to arrive can purchase Nutcracker tickets for only $25, which is a great discount.  To continue the celebration through the year,  mark your calendars for more special offers and surprises on the 25th of each month through December. First Niagara is the Presenting Sponsor of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™.

“Pennsylvania Ballet first performed George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™ back in 1987, and 25 years later it remains our most beloved production,” Artistic Director Roy Kaiser says. “The brilliance of Mr. B’s choreography, the timeless story and score, and spectacular sets and costumes make this ballet a must-see every year.”

Meet the Mouse King!

On Monday, June 25 at noon, join your favorite Nutcracker characters at the Kimmel Center Box Office for activities, special ticket offers, and more! While you’re there, you can become part of Pennsylvania Ballet’s Nutcracker ad campaign. Just pose for their photographer at the event and tell them how you know it's Nutcracker Season. Don't have time for a photo? Just finish the sentence: "I know it's Nutcracker Season when..." and email it to [email protected] or tweet @paballet using #pabnutcrackerseason.

To get in the mood for Nutcracker Season, my son and I will be waiting to meet the Mouse King on Monday.  It will be a great way to beat the heat and think cool thoughts! 

 

Disclosure:  The event on Monday is a free event and the details were provided to me by the Pennsylvania Ballet.  I have not received financial compensation for this post.

Preschoolers Madagascar party fun

As part of the Children's Claritin Moms Crew I had the opportunity to host a Madagascar 3 Party for my son and his preschool buddies.  I received an awesome party kit, complete with the first two Madagascar movies on DVD and some fun giveaways for the kiddos.  It was a great way to get the kids together before the end of the school year.  My son loves the Madagascar movies and is really looking forward to seeing Madagascar 3 when it is released in theatres on June 8th.  It is rare that an appropriate movie for preschoolers is in the theatres, so we are really excited about this summer movie!  

To get ready for the party, we made chocolate banana cupcakes with chocolate icing and popped lots of popcorn to share.  My son loved having popcorn boxes to share with his friends.  I also made up little goodie bags for each kid with a candy stick, Madagascar 3 stickers and pretzels. We decorated the table with animal themed plates, animal figures and my favorite cupcake stand, making the cupcakes the centerpiece.  (The kids ended up having so much fun playing they never ate the cupcakes, so each got to take some home!)  

While the movies were playing, some kids watched for a bit, some played, and the moms had a chance to catch up and chat.  It was great being able to talk with the moms for more than the five minutes we usually get at pick up time!  We discussed everything, including how rotten this allergy season has been for all of us.  Most of my son's friends seem to have asthma issues, along with seasonal allergies.  I know my allergies have been terrible this spring, thanks to the mild winter we had this past season. 

The kids had a blast playing together and enjoying their snacks.  At one point we caught some of the kids composing music notes together, maybe writing the next movie score?  They were so cute!  

Overall, our Madagascar movie party was a hit, even if the movies didn't get much of a viewing!  On the next rainy day we might have to host another movie get together so the kids can actually sit down and watch!  

 

As a member of the Children’s Claritin Mom Crew, I receive product samples and promotional items to share and use as I see fit.  No monetary compensation has taken place and any opinions expressed by me are honest and reflect my actual experience.

Valentine's Va-Va Voom theater in Philly at Plays & Players

 

Photo courtesy of Plays & Players

Go back in time this weekend in Philadelphia to experience a Valentine’s performance based on the Radio Era of yesterday. Plays & Players presents Valentine’s Va-Va-Voom, a special Valentine’s Day themed presentation by the Hear Again Radio Project. The featured episodes are “Puppy Love” from the show Our Miss Brooks and “Blondie Gets a Valentine” from Blondie. The Hear Again Radio Project presents classic radio dramas as they were originally broadcast with live Foley sound effects and the same commercials that would have aired with the shows.

Showtimes are for February 11 at 7pm and February 12 at 4pm and 7pm.  Tickets are reasonably priced and available in advance for a discount or purchase at the theatre before the performance.  Plays & Players Theater is located on Delancey Street in Philadelphia, near Rittenhouse Square.  I haven't been there yet, but it's on my to-do list for activities to do this year.  They also have two upcoming family friendly productions of Superheros are Super this year that I think my son would enjoy.  Learn more by visiting the theater's website at www.playsandplayers.org

As a special to my readers, you can use the discount code knittingzeal to save $2 off admission.  This discount code is good for the Hear Again Radio Project in February and April. This is also good for "Superheroes Who Are Super!" Family-friendly 1pm matinee Sat, Feb 18 and Sat, April 14.

If you go to a performance, please let me know what you thought!  Happy Valentine's Day!