Kansas City Ballet presents The Nutcracker Christmas 2012
It brings me hope for the future each year. Yet, it is as old and established a tradition as you can find in Kansas City. And there are no words. It is the Kansas City Ballet’s The Nutcracker. I am pretty sure the music could cheer up even the fussiest baby (I know, I’ve tried it!) and the gracefulness of Clara and the Sugar Plum Fairy make anyone sit up a little taller. Maybe it is just a the break from the TV and seeing something on stage that is so special it can hold the attention of even the most active preschooler, without even saying a thing. It might be subtle, but in our family the influences of the ballet have touched us in lots of ways – big and small.
The Nutcracker is showing through Dec. 23. Buy tickets online today!
And this year, my daughter Natalie (7) has been able to jump right in (literally!) A student at the Kansas City Ballet since Kindergarten, she was eligible to audition for The Nutcracker for the first time this year. Initially, she was unsure (and so was I)! It is a big commitment, and well, she’s so little (or so I thought) I wondered, “can she really do it?” Can she really step out onto that big stage even one time, let alone the 11 times she’s ultimately been cast for?
But, the excitement at the Bolender Center was contagious and she went into her audition excited and ready. She earned the part of Mother Ginger Extra, but what she’s gained is much bigger than her small role in the second act. The exposure to the arts in ballet is one of this mom’s favorite things. Live piano accompniament in her classes as well as the Kansas City Symphony’s performance during her shows make classical music a regular part of her life.
And my introverted yet ambitious kiddo is the youngest in the cast. Her confidence has increased and her ability to go with the flow seem to be turning this not-quite-7-and-a-half year old into an 8 year old quickly. She sees the hard work the older children have put into their ballet classes and roles and understands success only comes through dedication. She’s also set goals for her future and knows what she wants to work toward.
If you haven’t had a chance to see The Nutcracker yet this year, it really is one of Kansas City’s greatest treasures. And you can see the future of Kansas City in the hardwork and determination of all the students on stage, who are getting a bright start right here, at the Kauffman Center. It is a wonderful way to spend this special time of the year!
The Nutcracker is showing through Dec. 23. Buy tickets online today!
