Tonight was opening night at the Fox! Featuring the Joffrey Ballet in "The NUTCRACKER."
When we arrived we met up with Katie and Stacy with their girls, Ally & Kirsten. I brought my neice, Amber, and we all had an opportunity to spend some quality time with Santa in the lobby! They all seemed a little shy when Santa asked them what they wanted for Christmas, but he quickly let them know that they have 20 days left to figure it out and let him know! We had the privilege to meet the Director of the Nutcracker, Michael Uthoff. He was very nice and welcomed the Stlmoms to the show!
We got there early for a special "story telling" by Julie Buck from 103.3. She told the children the story of the Nutcracker and all eyes were on her! After the story, it was time for the show. As we entered the lobby you could hear the children's choir singing christmas songs. The Fox is amazing, and will take your breath away by it's beauty! Teaching our children early that you can go to the theatre and see much more than a movie. Sharing in the experience is a way to make some wonderful memories.
Growing up I loved the sound tract to "The Nutcracker!" I have the original album! So to have the opportunity to see it was very special too me! I was amazed at how wonderful they all can dance. At times I sat there just taken back by the talent on that stage. From the very young, to those that are a bit older! They all were very professional, and I had a wonderful time!
I ran into Sarah and Deidre a couple of rows over, nice to see you girls! We need to get together soon! I would like to thank Mary Hill for taking care of her stlmoms, ArtsZipper.com for a wonderful time, Barbara from Dancestl for all your hard work! I will be interviewing some of the children and their mothers during the rest of the week, and will have that up soon
If you had a chance to see the Nutcracker please leave a comment and let me know what you thought! If you haven't seen it yet, buy your tickets today! Great performance!
I personally give it a A+! Thanks again for everything you do!
OH yes! The NUTCRACKER was WONDERFUL! My daughter, who will be 4 next month was so amazed! She LOVED it! Thanks to Mary, Artszipper, and Dance St. Louis for providing for such a wonderful evening for us STL Moms!!! The ballet is always a special place for me, because my Mother was a ballerina in her younger days. After earning a B.A. and M.A. in dance from Butler University she spent many years as a principal dancer with the Indianapolis Ballet Theatre. I am so excited that I have now introduced this culture to my oldest child. We hope to attend many more ballets and events at the beautiful Fabulous Fox Theatre!
If you are looking for real holiday treat then I really recommend taking the evening to see the Joffrey Ballet performance of The Nutcracker at the FOX theater. It is a pastel and sugar-coated treat for the eyes and I found myself enjoying the performace as if I were a little girl all over again.
Melissa, my 3 year old, was also very invested in the details of the performace and she kept asking where the bad mice went and when the Sugar plum fairy would come out. LOL! I am thrilled that we had this opportunity to share such a beloved art with her and I look forward to her danceing all over the house for the next few weeks.
For me the performace was a real treat because it was my first ballet. The dancers seems to float across the stage with such ease, I cannot imagine how they can do the enitre performance without saying a word and barely making a sound while they are moving all over the set. I was most moved by the performane of "Fabrice Calmels" who played the Nutcracker Prince. His presence on stage has it's own aura and his passionate performace even seems to outshine the role he is playing. I look forward to any opportunity to see more of his work. He has some wonderful pictures on his MySpace website at: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=26383296
Even though the story of the Nutcracker is familiar, it is a true holiday treat to be in the presence of such a wonderful ballet company and to enjoy such a performace in our very own Fox Theater. Their version is fun, kid friendly and a wonderful way to get you into the spirit of the holiday season. They are playing at the Fox for the next 3 nights and well worth making it a family traditon.
We left the ballet wishing there was more and plan to go back to the Fox as often as we can. "Wicked" is the next performace on the FOX calendar and I hav been dying to see it!!! I will be asking Santa for tickets this year!
Sincerely,
Sarah Oelke
Sarah I'm so looking forward to Wicked if you go give me a call! I'm still very interested in getting together in the near future, keep in touch and let me know what works for you!
Have a great weekend!
Jana
Happy Birthday Stacy!! Hope it's filled with lots of love and happiness!
Peace, Jana