Nutcracker Fun

This weekend Myney and I took Anastasia to see the Nutcracker at the Warner Theater. We went last year, and Anastasia really enjoyed it. It's an unusual performance, in that it's set in Washington, DC, and features many American Historical Figures, including Betsy Ross and George Washington (as the Nutcracker).

We started with brunch across the street from the theater. Anastasia was very happy to enjoy waffles and biegnets with chocolate milk. I didn't complain about having biscuits and gravy, either.



We got tickets to "Family Day" this year. The doors opened an hour and a half before showtime to offer a sneak peak behind the scenes of the show. The Rat King met us at the door, signing autographs and posing for pictures. It was very exciting to be able to take pictures of the sets, and the dancers.



We made our way into the theater where Drosselmeyer was signing autographs. We got his signature then headed over to meet Clara. We found our seats (in the second row, not sure how we lucked into those) just in time to see Septime Webre lead a rehearsal of the Toy Soldiers.



After the rehearsal, Anastasia and I headed back out to see some more of the dancers. She posed with the Sugar Plum Fairy, made an ornament and found Lady Liberty posing for pictures, too. Meanwhile, Myney watched the clowns rehearse and got us refreshments to tide us over through the first act.



Anastasia really loved the show, she sat on the edge of her seat for most of it. At intermission, we went out to get an ornament (pretty, sparkly ballerina) and drinks for the second act. She told me how she was enjoying the show, and how much she like the character of Clara. The second act features some of my favorite dances, but much less story. Nevermind, Anastasia was enthralled. She is also particularly interested in learning more about her own connection to the story.

A few years ago, Orlando and I learned that the original story of the Nutcracker was written for (and about) two Hitzig children. The author, E.T.A. Hoffman, was a family friend to Julius Hitzig. Hoffman felt that the Hitzigs (and most parents of the time) were too strict with their children, stifling their creativity. So, in 1816, he wrote a fairy tale for the children, Marie and Fritz, that was as much a commentary on the parenting style of the day as an opportunity to entertain the children. We don't know the exact genealogy that connects Anastasia, through Orlando, to Marie and Fritz Hitzig, that's research for the future. For now, we're very happy to have a little Nutcracker in our holiday preparations.