Merry Christmas from Panache and the F-H.C.A.G.

[Bugbear]

Hope you have a good Christmas too.

You had really never been?

[The F-H.C.A.G.]

There's a lovely story about our ballet experience. The only ballet I have ever seen was The Nutcracker as well, and that was many, many years ago.

Every year I have said, "We've got to got see The Nutcracker this year!" and every year, things have gotten too busy and we've forgotten to go.

This year, I swore we would attend, and I purchased tickets early. The tickets were not cheap, although I tried to be cost effective by buying tickets for a children's matinee. I was thrilled that there was one available on Christmas Eve.

Or so I thought.

Today, as we were getting ready to go, after we had already taken that picture, I went to check the paper I'd printed out, just to double check where to pick up our tickets. Clearly printed on the paper was "Children's Matinee, TUESDAY Dec 23, 1:30 pm".

I almost cried.

Then, determined that we should go anyway, I called the box office. The nice young man who answered said that although there was not a children's matinee today, there was a regular performance at 1:30 and that there were plenty of seats available.

Understand that I had already spent a lot of money on tickets, and now I was going to have to spend it AGAIN, but I decided we could tighten our belts in the new year, and darn it, we WERE GOING!

When we arrived, and I mentioned (in passing) as I went to purchase new tickets, that I had stupidly missed the show yesterday, the manager leaned over to the young man who was prepared to take my money and said, "Comp them"!

He GAVE us tickets (to replace the ones I'd not used the prior day) in the 9th row orchestra. My daughter was right in the center, practically on top of the stage! She was waving at the conductor (who kindly waved back) while we waited for the performance to begin.

It was magical.

And the performance was amazing!

What a wonderful day!

Be well,

Star

[Highlander31]

Nice photo. You and Jamie have a lovely family.

Sounds like the magic of the Nutcracker really came alive for your family.

Merry Christmas to all of you.

[Bryan]

That's very sweet of the manager to do! Glad you got to go. Merry Christmas.

[Rex_Tremende]

It was the first ballet either child had attended...and myself as well (somewhere Rex Tremende is reeling in shock!)

You know, I felt something stirring today...

There's a lovely story about our ballet experience. The only ballet I have ever seen was The Nutcracker as well, and that was many, many years ago.
[...]
It was magical.

And the performance was amazing!

What a wonderful day!

Yes, Nutcracker is the gateway ballet for many people. My first time was to see Peter Martins and Suzanne Farrell in something by Balanchine I don't recall what - I think "Stars and Stripes." But if you ever get the itch to go again, a Balanchine work is the next best stop ("Apollo" is a classic). There's something about the purity and precision of his work that makes me well up every time - it's as if the dance was already there, perfect and whole, waiting for him to pluck it out of the air and be paired with the music.

Your family photo is great! Thanks for sharing your day with us.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,
Rex.