Monday, January 19, 2015

the most wonderful time of year

THE NUTCRACKER
The Christmas Party
"The Nutcracker begins on Christmas Eve. Mr. & Mrs. Stahlbaum & their children, Clara & Fritz, are busy preparing for the evening of festivities. The guests arrive, including Clara's Godfather, Herr Drosselmeyer, who has fashioned a special gift for Clara, a Nutcracker designed in the form of a small soldier..." 

Guests have arrived, let the party begin!


..."Clara falls in love with her Nutcracker at once..."

Drosselmeyer brings gifts for everyone!
He also performs magic & hypnotization.
But wait! there's more. 
Columbine, the kissing doll. 
Begging for the Prince to dance with her.
Oh no! Fritz has been shot by the Toy Soldier. *

After being punished by Mr. Stahlbaum, Fritz begins his mischievous antics again. With teasing encouragement from Clara, Fritz gets a hold of her beloved Nutcracker. 

No worries, Drosselmeyer has fixed him. 

The party comes to a close, but not without a goodnight kiss.

Battle Scene
..."Unable to sleep without one more look at her beloved Nutcracker, Clara tiptoes back into the living room and cradles her soldier once more before falling asleep. She is not sure if she is dreaming, but before her eyes are huge mice playing in front of the Christmas tree that has grown to a tremendous size. The Nutcracker fights with the Mouse Queen*, and, in the heat of the battle, Clara takes off her slipper and throws it at the Mouse Queen. While she is distracted, the Nutcracker dispatches her with his saber..." He defeats her, but not without his own wounds. Drosselmeyer, once again, saves him. 


Land of Snow
..."After the battle, the Nutcracker is magically transformed into a handsome prince. Grateful to Clara for saving his life, he invites her to accompany him on a journey to the fabled Kingdom of the Sugar Plum Fairy. En route, they pass through the exquisite land of the Snow Queen and her King."


The Kingdom of Sweets
..."In the land of the Sugar Plum Fairy, Clara is entertained by an array of divertissements, including Spanish, Arabian and Chinese dancers, as well as Mother Ginger, with her many children who appear from her gigantic skirt..."
Mother Ginger kids being naughty...
(Flowers. Definitely my favorite dance/music makes me want to cry every time.)
(Marzipan)


"The evening concludes with the grand pas de deux performed by the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier. Following the pas de deux, Clara is whisked away with her prince in a sled, while waving goodbye to the Sugar Plum Fairy and her magical kingdom."




I am way late on posting, but I really enjoyed taking pictures of these dancers. They're all so talented! Learning how to photograph the lighting was a bit tricky, but it seems to have worked out. I would love any kind of feedback (critique, suggestions, tips &tc.) so please comment!

P.S. this was a dress rehearsal, so not everyone was in costume...and not everyone got photographed. 
*dancers who were not there while pictures were taken. :-)

Thank for reading,
Mally J. 











































































































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