Man, what to talk about this week? I had every intention of jotting down a few things here and there throughout the week but never got around to it. I did sleep in the first couple of days for some reason.
Nutcracker is over and done with for the season. I thought the shows went really well, but I usually do, even if I miss a cue by a beat or two.
I try to have fun with it when that happens. For example, at the second show, the stagehand working the Christmas tree was a little slow when I used my “magic” to make it “grow.” I could see the stage manager cuing him as I started “casting my spell,” but the tree didn’t move (it’s attached to a batten that gets raised). I’ve only got so much time to mess with the tree, because I have to cast a spell over the audience and get off stage before the mice start showing up for the fight scene. I just kept making bigger and bigger motions like I was trying harder and harder to coax the tree to grow, then finally stomped my feet and put my hand on my hips.
Then it moved.
Down.
I think I let my head drop, because what else could I do at that point?
I stepped toward the audience, did a short version of my shtick with them, then exited stage left. When I looked back from the wings, the tree had crept up to its correct magical height.
But that’s the beauty of live dance and live theater, in my mind. Things are going to break. Dancers and actors are going to miss their mark. The guy dancing on drywall stilts is going to step on a dancer’s foot. It’s all about how you react to those things that really shows how good you are.
Oh, and the fog generator repair held up just fine. Sunday, when we loaded out, both generators went home with one of the dads who’s going to repair the leak and generally tune them up.
One of the parents got several photos of me during the show, which I appreciated.
Drosselmeyer and his dolls 
My dance partner for the wine dance 
Drosselmeyer doing his shadow dance, where I do a bit, then the “enchanted” girls behind me mirror my actions. 
I just took off my mask, and I’m digging out the scarves from my cape. 
In which I pretend to juggle 
Masha showing me the broken Nutcracker. 
I’m casting a spell over Masha. 
Making the tree grow.
Merry Christmas, all.
The soundtrack for this post has been Bob’s Perfect Christmas Playlist on Spotify.
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