Saturday, December 19, 2009

Friday "My Town" Shootout---Christmas!

This week's FMTS theme was suggested by the blogger team--Christmas Around Town! Head here to see a great write-up by Ginger.

And... head here to see the other participants great photos!

Being a musician, my holidays are dominated by musical performances. Earlier this week was the final dress rehearsal for a production of "The Nutcracker" I'm in, and I was lucky enough to actually be able to watch it, since my part was being covered in the pit!

A nutcracker sentinal stands guard at the end of the stage...


One of his infantrymen watches the action on stage...


A panorama shot of the opening... the scrim becomes transparent as the light onstage comes up...


The Nutcraker makes its first appearance. Herr Drosselmeyer demonstrates it for the anxious children...


The Nutcrakcer comes to life and prepares to battle the mice (with our two "Clara"s marking their spots!)...


The end of Act I... the Kingdom of Snowflakes...



The opening of Act II...


The SugarPlum Fairy looks a little distressed, since this is the last dress!


Ah, all better!


Finale of the Entrance to the Land of Sweets...


Clara and the handmaidens await the next dance...


...the Arabian Coffee dancers!



The Mirlitons (AKA Dance of the Reed Flutes)...


Chinese Tea...


...and the energetic Trepak! (this little guy in the middle is amazing!)


And the famous "Waltz of the Flowers"...






The Nutcracker Grand Pas de Deux...



Finale with all the dancers...



The Spanish Chocolate dancers...


And the company bow with the SugarPlum Fairy and her Cavalier front and center!


Lining up for the final exit...


And Herr Drosselmeyer makes a final appearance... was it a dream or not??

11 comments:

  1. Looks like a splendid Christmas production! Bet the music was great, too! Thanks for taking the time out to capture these!

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  2. I love the magic of the Nutcracker. The photos are just beautiful. Thanks for inviting us. You captured the colors well.

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  3. Wow am I jealous of you. I love,love the Nutcracker. I play the violin and don't perform at all any more. Oh how I miss the music. You did a wonderful job of getting all those photographs. Mine and my youngest daughter had a dream come true when we got to meet Mikhail B. (I can't spell it.) He was in Louisville for a performance about 13 years ago and that is what I gave her for her graduation from high school. Of course he is my favorite Nutcracker rendition on film. His performance in Louisville was for modern dance, not like his ballet used to be.
    QMM

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  4. I have never in my life seen the nutcracker. I know it's a classic, but I have no idea about the characters, etc. Your photos made me feel like I was there watching it. The stage set is amazing. These are just wonderful. Thank you.

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  5. you were lucky to be in the pit and take these lovely photos.

    I like the snowflakes.

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  6. Oh oh oh oh I felt like I was there..what wonderful shots!! Beautiful shoot out!!
    Merry Christmas to you, Sarah

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  7. Next thing to being there! Thanks for the beautiful photos and hard work.

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  8. Your photos are wonderful! Thanks for taking me down memory lane, I saw a performance of the Nutcracker 20+ years ago with my mother-in-law.

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  9. The photos are just gorgeous. You really capture the colors wonderfully!

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  10. Gorgeous! I haven't seen the Nutcracker since I was a little girl - you've inspired me to go see it again.

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  11. My favorite! I had to cover the Nutcracker for the newspaper. It is always so magical.

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