The dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies returns to Miami for yet another awe inspiring performance.
Featuring a cast of more than one-hundered members, the Miami City Ballet is preparing to perform their production of the famed George Blanchine's The Nutcracker ™. This has been deemed 'the show to see' with the grand set decorations and costumes, special effects, beautiful music and, of course, the exceptional dancing by international dancing stars only solidifies the foundation for a show that should be featured on Broadway.
There will be many dates available as the dance company totes a heavy tour schedule; however, featured within will be the dates for Miami at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County located at: 1300 N. Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL (map) and the Naples performance at the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts located at: 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples, FL (map). This way there will not be one ballet enthusiast on either coast that has any excuse to not observe this incredible production.
Who can resist the opening act, Christmas Eve at the Stahlbaum house, with the children eagerly bustling around the tree to peek at their presents? The appearance of the mysterious Herr Drosselmeir adorned in all black with a large cape and patch over one eye...granting Clara (Marie in the Miami production) a charming wooden doll holding the talent for cracking nuts. Clara proceeds to cradle the doll while dancing around only to have her brother, Fritz, tear it from her...toss it ot the ground and stomping on it out of jealousy.
The concern for her doll leaves Clara with a sleepless night that takes her back downstairs to check on her doll that sleeps soundly in a bed she made for it. Mysteriously, the tree begins to shake and the room spins...human-sized mice appear while the tree begins to grow. Clara places the doll back in it's bed for safety and glances to discover that both the bed and her doll have grown to a life like size...even larger than she! Clara faints and her 'doll' places her in his bed to rest.
After thwarting off the evil mice and other accompanying villains' , the Nutcracker is magically transformed into a Prince before Clara's awakening eyes (whom she recognizes as the nephew of Drosselmeir that she was separated from at the house earlier). Her Prince presents Clara with the crown he swiped from the king mouse and adorns her head with it...dancing snowflakes and glitter begin to elegantly fall to the ground and the pair travel to the Land of the Sugar Plum Fairy.
Clara and her Prince are welcomed by the Sugar Plum Fairy, who appears in a gold tutu. Accompanied by her Cavaleir, the fairy ensues the memorable classic dance sequence that implodes into an exciting crescendo that leads into the exquisite, colorful grand finale. The Sugar Plum Fairy leads the Prince and Princess to a magical sleigh that will fly them to a place where the moon meets the sun.
Daybreak arrives...Clara awakens...and it is Christmas Day!
Dates, showtimes and ticket information for the Miami production may be located by visiting: http://www.miamicityballet.org/nutcracker.php or you may call: theater (305) 949-6722; tickets 1-877-929-7010. For the Naples Philharmonic information visit: http://www.thephil.org/. For direct contact call: 1-800-597-1900.
The opening performance, in Naples, is November 28, 2009 at 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm. Opening night, in Miami, is December 18, 2009 at 7:30 pm. It is highly recommended that all attend at least one performance of this holiday classic; which will take you back to your childhood and all the wonder and mystery the holidays brought to your imagination...that one toy you cherished and fell asleep with. Make this a family tradition like it has become for mine, that initiated in Philadelphia with my father and me.
Happy holidays to all and your families, especially in these challenging times. Maybe it is meant to be, as this will hopefully bring the simple, innocent magic back to the holidays that have become a mere marketing machine. This production will warm your heart...the way the holidays are meant to do.
Feel free to contact Kelly at: kelections@yahoo.com.
Comments
Beautifully written with insightful knowledge of the story and music.
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