Fun and forgetting at The Nutcracker

Almost a year ago, before my wife's income was severed by a computer program in New York City, we purchased tickets to Columbus BalletMet's annual production of The Nutcracker.  The first time I ever attended a performance of Tchaikovsky's famous ballet was our first year of marriage.  A couple friends at seminary were helping us move into new student housing.  After a particularly taxing load, one of them mentioned they had tickets to the Cincinnati Ballet's production.  He asked if we'd like to go, and I said sure, why not.  They couldn't go, why waste the tickets.

It was a snowy night, and we drove to Cincinnati on the same evening, with plans to make the drive back to Louisville, probably owing to obligations at school.  It was one of those magical times where everything worked.  We got there early (as I am wont to do when going somewhere I've never  been), and had plenty of time to walk around the area.  We found a jazz restaurant that served Cajun, and had a ball.  Then we indulged in the atmosphere of the performance and the theater - complete with a choir singing Christmas carols, the decor, the performance.  It was magic.

Since then, we've tried to go as often as possible.  Sometimes it's been a great experience.  Sometimes not so great.  We've gone to different productions in different cities.  In 2000, we began going to BalletMet.  The first performance was less than inspiring, but we came back a couple years later, when the boys were old enough.  Things got better, and over the years we've probably gone four or five times as a family.  Two years ago we took in a matinee, and the audience was about as lackluster as you can imagine, which impacted the performers accordingly.  But earlier this year, we had the change to buy tickets as ridiculously low prices, so we jumped on it.  It turned out to be a good decision, as it's the one thing we could do that actually cost money this year.  We couldn't take our youngest, he's still too young.  But next year, we'll take the whole gang.

It wasn't easy.  The shooting Friday still casts a pall on everything, and it was at times tough not to imagine what those families had planned with their loved ones and their children for the weekend.  Still, life must go on, and we owed it to our boys to help them through the tough year we've had.  It doesn't compare to anything those families in Connecticut are going through of course, but not all tough times need to be on the same level to be tough nonetheless.  So we went, and enjoyed.  We even got to eat out.  So altogether, a welcome break from the sorrows of the last couple days, as we remember those who lost loved ones, as well as others who have lost loved ones who the world will never hear about.  Peace to them all.

Anxiously waiting for the curtain to rise; it was worth it - one of the best productions we've seen

The great chandelier; the interior adds volumes to the experience

Heading in, I don't know what was going on with our eighth grader, but our oldest  looks good

See camera, strike pose

In a small balcony ledge before heading into the auditorium

We still missed him, who is here looking pretty excited about decorating the tree tomorrow

A rare shot of Mom and Dad, courtesy of our oldest across the foyer