Overbravofication Part II

"Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!" I just want to say Bravi to the Washington Ballet on their "Americanized" production of the Nutcracker which premiered at the Baltimore Hippodrome last night to decent (but not sold out) attendance. Those who attended (with the exception of one woman who seemed quite bitter still about the election) gave an overwhelming response after final curtain, leading to a standing ovation for the company. Septime Weber, the company's artistic director, wondered several years ago, "What would the Nutcracker have been like had Clara grown up in colonial America?" The path Weber followed resulted in a ballet representing America's diversity and incorporating American folklore, traditions and culture. Keep an eye out for the Valley Forge Bunnies, Anacostia Indians, George Washington, Ben Franklin, Betsy Ross, a Kachina doll, cardinals, cherry blossoms, and an adorable performance by Mother Ginger's itty bitty clown children. Details, detail, details...you've gotta keep looking.

I can honestly say that I enjoyed it. Weber did a brilliant job of incorporating children into the show in ways that I hadn't imagined - be it Clara and the nephew in their prepubescent love or the wee l'il mushrooms bopping around stage in their diapers. It created this endearing hybrid of classical ballet and elementary school dance recital -- and I don't mean that in a bad way. I mean it in the most adorable way.

That being said, I should also mention that my partner is the new Executive Director for the Washington Ballet.