The Nutcracker
One of our family Christmas traditions is to do something together before the holiday. Some years, it’s been going to see a N.Y. Islanders ice hockey game; other years, a play or musical. Last year, Robert wanted to go see the New York City Ballet. I got tickets to George Balachine’s, The Nutcracker, but a blizzard prevented us from making the trek into town from Brooklyn. This year, with our mild December, we made it to Lincoln Center. It was worth the wait.
All three of us sat there, enchanted. The set design was breathtaking, especially the snow scene; the costumes were dazzling. The beauty of the costumes was half the enjoyment of the performance. Our favorite part in Act I is the Nutcracker’s sword fight with the Mouse King; in Act II the scene with the Sugarplum Fairy and her Cavalier. I personally found the male dancers “beautiful”–I can’t think of another word to describe them–in their effortless strength and grace.
After the performance was over we stepped out into the magic of Lincoln Center. If there is one spot in Manhattan that epitomizes the glamour and sophistication of New York, it has to be right here. For a moment, I missed living on the Upper West Side.
We went for an after-show dinner at La Boite en Bois. Very small, it was warm and tres French. Try the cod. Forget the bread pudding.
