Disclaimer: I was given tickets to attend a showing.
I was not paid in any way to write this review.
All opinions are my own.
Yesterday I went to see my very first play and I have to say it was absolutely amazing. Remember a few weeks ago I did a post on the Colorado’s Ballet Production of the Nutcracker. They’re even offering a 20% discount off tickets. If you’re in the Colorado area I suggest you check it out!
All camera photography was disallowed but I was provided with photos to share with you my readers. That photo was taken before the show started and I’m so happy that I went. You really do not want to miss this!
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| Artists of Colorado Ballet – Photo by Mike Watson |
Now the performances by the Artists of the Colorado Ballet was spectacular. Everything was done extraordinary well. The Colorado Ballet Orchestra played Tchaikovsky’s score divinely and nothing was out of place. From the start of the performance you are drawn into it. You would recognize famous pieces such as the “dance of the sugar plum fairy”. The snowflakes look magical and even me being a toddler didn’t say a word because I was so enthralled.
Now for those who have no inkling what the Nutcracker is all about let me tell you a bit about it. There are two acts in all. Act one takes place at the home of Clara our star of the play. It’s Christmas Eve and everyone comes to celebrate at their house.
Presents are given out to the children and at eight o’clock the owl clock strikes 8 and Drosselmeyer, Clara’s godfather enters. He has lifelike toys that comes to life and entertains them all. One the lifelike toys are put away after entertaining them, he then gives gifts to Clara and her brother Fritz. Fritz is given nuts while Clara is given a wooden Nutcracker in the shape of a little man. Clara falls in love with her gift but Fritz breaks it and Drosselmeyer bandages it back together.
When everyone has gone to bed, Clara goes to check on her prized Nutcracker. At midnight the clock strikes and her Nutcracker came to life with gingerbread soldiers. Then the Mouse King appeared and started a fight with the Nutcracker and his soldiers. The Nutcracker gets wounded but Clara is able to distract the Mouse King letting the Nutcracker stab him, causing the Mouse King to die. His mouse men took him away and the Nutcracker is then transformed into a handsome prince. They go dancing into the moonlit enchanted forest then he takes her away to the land of sweets.
We then had a 20 minute intermission where I relived the most beautiful show I had ever seen.
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| Maria Mosina and Alexei Tyukov – photo by Mike Watson |
Act 2 is the Land of Sweets where we now get to see the Sugar Plum Fairy who was ruling in the Prince’s place until he returned. He told her how he was saved by Clara from the Mouse King and how he was transformed back into a prince.
In honor of Clara’s heroism she is presented with sweets from around the world. The highlight of the performance was Mother Ginger who stole the show with her dance along with her children. The Sugar Plum Fairy and her cavalier performed as well and it was a sight to behold.
After the sweets have performed Clara and the Prince are crowned rulers of the Land of Sweets and they leave drawn in a reindeer led sleigh waving.
We then see Clara sleeping in her parlor with the nutcracker under the family Christmas tree. She awakes and we all are left to wonder, was it a dream? Her crown is sitting next to her so it might not be. She then walks to the tree for her nutcracker and goes back to sleep.
The performance was beyond spectacular and I can’t wait to see it again!
You can see it as well. Don’t forget that they’re still offering a 20% discount on tickets for the first three weeks of production.
Coupon Link: Here
Coupon Offer: Receive 20% first three weeks of The Nutcracker with promo code KIDS.
To redeem this offer, go to www.coloradoballet.org, click buy tickets and enter promo code KIDS.
Disclaimers: Promo valid for performances Nov. 30-December 15, 2013 only. Not valid on D seating, seats subject to availability, limited quantities available. Not valid in combination with other offers or toward past purchases.
Disclosure: Growing Up Madison receives products in order to conduct reviews. No monetary compensation was provided unless noted otherwise. All opinions are 100% my own. Some posts may contain affiliate links that I receive commission for payment from in exchange for referrals. In the event of a giveaway, the sponsor is responsible for delivery of the prize, unless otherwise noted in the posting. Giveaways are not sponsored by Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+ or any other social media site. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I personally believe will be a good fit for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
