Suite
On Friday after work I met Alison, Ben and Joanna at Lincoln Center and we went to see the New York Ballet's production of "The Nutcracker Suite" courtesy of their parents. I had seen the Kansas City Ballet perform their rendition when I was in fifth or sixth grade, and was not impressed. But on Friday, I was blown away. Not only was the choreography intricate and engaging, but the thought that went into the interpretation was inventive and original. I loved that each of the second act dances was done by a different type of confectionary food, instead of by an ethnic group, as the dances are titled. Coffee in place of the Arabian Dance, Tea for the Chinese Dance, and Candy Canes for the Russian Dance. The costuming was also wonderful. While reading the Playbill, I realized that this is the exact same production, from choreography to set design to costmes, that they have done since the company's first production of TNS in 1954! To have withstood the test of time so well, I can only imagine how ahead of its time it must have seemed when it premiered. I can't wait to take my children to see it someday.
After the show, Alison and I tried to see a movie, but nothing was starting until around 11:30, so we came home. Yesterday we went to the Whitney with her father and Ben to see the Picasso exhibit that's been publicized so much recently. It was sort of a disappointment, cause less of it was Picasso than I'd expected. The Hopper exhibit that ended today was much better. Seeing "Nighthawks" in person was the highlight, but it was also interesting to look at all his sketches in preparation for the different pieces and how he combined so many different small elements to make such realistic images. The was also a Kiki Smith exhibit, but we were rushed out of that one at closing time. I wish I could have seen it more. It was creepy, but very well done. Then we went to dinner with Charlotte, and Joel drove us home to deliver our Christmas present...
A kitchen island! I spent several hours today setting it up, but now it's complete and we've rearranged the kitchen to best utilize the new piece of furniture and we love it. I have pictures I'll upload tomorrow. In the meantime, I'm getting ready to go to Amelea's to her NYE party after we have a quick dinner.
Happy New Year!!
After the show, Alison and I tried to see a movie, but nothing was starting until around 11:30, so we came home. Yesterday we went to the Whitney with her father and Ben to see the Picasso exhibit that's been publicized so much recently. It was sort of a disappointment, cause less of it was Picasso than I'd expected. The Hopper exhibit that ended today was much better. Seeing "Nighthawks" in person was the highlight, but it was also interesting to look at all his sketches in preparation for the different pieces and how he combined so many different small elements to make such realistic images. The was also a Kiki Smith exhibit, but we were rushed out of that one at closing time. I wish I could have seen it more. It was creepy, but very well done. Then we went to dinner with Charlotte, and Joel drove us home to deliver our Christmas present...
A kitchen island! I spent several hours today setting it up, but now it's complete and we've rearranged the kitchen to best utilize the new piece of furniture and we love it. I have pictures I'll upload tomorrow. In the meantime, I'm getting ready to go to Amelea's to her NYE party after we have a quick dinner.
Happy New Year!!