Before you know it, you're the crazy cat lady in the scary house

Humbuggery

December 11, 2004 ... 9:46 a.m.

Oscar: “Good Nebuchadneezer’s nightgown!”

Last evening, went to Hancher and saw The Nutcracker. I love ballet. I danced a lot when I was younger. In fact, I was in The Nutcracker. I was a polichinelle. I alternated performances with another girl. Originally, I got four and she got three. She ended up with 5, because I wouldn’t count for my cue -- I wanted to listen for my musical cue. That was all fine, well and good, but I kept getting absorbed in the music and other dancers -- especially the Russian dancers -- and would miss my cue. So, they booted me out. But I was all about the music, dude. The MUSIC!!

That was probably the worst rendition I have ever seen. The Nutcracker prince disappeared of the stage after killing the Mouse King. Which happened in the first act. He is supposed to accompany Clara and the ... forget it. The Russian dancers were less than stellar and were actually pretty boring and that is NOT how they’re supposed to be. The Sugar Plum Fairy was awful, off beat and you couldn’t tell the difference between her and the Snowflake Queen. Everything went out of the normal order, which is fine for a new or different interpretation, but there was no flow. People were leaving at intermission. “Clara” never even fell asleep for the dream to begin. And, when they end it right, you’re supposed to believe it was a dream but not know, because of creepy-yet-magical Drosselmeyer. The polichinelles were cute, but we had a more elaborate dance.

The orchestra was fantastic. I knew one of the musicians from high school. When the orchestra stood, I recognized him right away. He was such a nice kid. Haven't talked to him since we graduated.

I loved seeing all the little kids dressed up. The boys in ties and the girls in velvet dresses and patent leather Mary Jane’s. Adorable.

Not so adorable? The Mad Clapper. He applauded everything. In the middle of a dance, during a lift and anytime Drosselmeyer breathed. he tried -- 5 times -- to start a wave of applause during one part and nobody joined him so, at the end of the piece, he started yelling “Bravo”. It was intensely annoying. First, because I wanted to hear the music. Secondly because it is quite rude to applaud in the middle of a dance or a scene. The frequency of applause bordered on the absurd. Bootsie, jokingly did the “whop-whop-whop” (whatever) a la Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. And she fit in. Someone, as God is my witness, actually said “Show us your tits!” to the Sugar Plum Fairy. That was so wrong.

It was, at best, a disappointing evening.

Went shopping yesterday for my grandparents. Our family Christmas is one week from today. I got my grandma a blouse. Did I get the right color? Did I get the right size? Oh, silly one, it doesn’t matter because she will return it. I got Grandpa a sweater. It’s a nice half-zip pullover. He used to wear those cardigans like Mr. Rogers.

::pause for wistful Mr. Rogers memories::

But he has muscular dystrophy and he can’t do buttons. Zippers are also hard but we put empty key rings on the end so he can pull them easier. Ain’t we sweet?

I also made her another (bigger) quilt and bought him a magazine subscription.

I will be baking cookies all week for Saturday. I’ll try to beg off chocolate chip and sugar cookie duty, but I doubt it’ll fly.

Such is life.

Currently Reading: A Citizen’s Guide to Democracy Inaction by Jon Stewart/Daily Show

Listening To: Christmas radio station
...I’ll have a blue Christmas without you...

Have a happy day!

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