Sugarplum Fairies and the Blue Lizzard!

     The ballet.  Is there another single word that conjures up as many images?  For some it's grace, beauty, elegance; the perfect union of music and dance.  While others think boring, pretentious, absurdly tight pants, and how do I fake a deadly fever to get out of going.  Admittedly very few of us have much exposure to ballet other than as a cameo appearance in a movie or being referenced in a sitcom during a "You never take my anywhere!" argument.  Community theater gives everyone a chance to experience ballet without the expense and commitment of a Broadway performance.

     Today Cindy and I had the pleasure of attending The Nutcracker for the first time.  Though we were both excited to finally see this Christmas classic, we had a touch of apprehension because we knew the matenee was generally attended by families... a.k.a kids!  To be honest, the young ones actually made the atmosphere much more relaxing and loose.  Forget black ties and gowns.  Our t-shirt and University of Montana sweatshirt ensambles were a perfect fit for the crowd!  As for the performance?  BRAVO!  There were very young children who turned the wrong way, got distracted by balloons and glitter, you know, kid stuff!  Yet they also poured themselves into the parts.  Quite honestly the little mice nearly stole the show during the big battle scene.  As the age of the performers increased the dancing parts became more involved.  Sure there was timing that was off and a couple star struck faces,  but it was quite obvious that even the most awkward, inexperienced dancer on the stage was doing something I will never be able to do in all my remaining years.  Finally the oldest performers were absolutely incredible.  The combination of strength and grace was stunning.  Whether it was from toddlers dressed as fighting mice or the amazement of the skill in the young adults, I found myself with a huge smile etched on my face from start to finish!  I can only imagine how touching it would be to see a  production by one of the great ballet troupes in New York or Moscow.

     One thing was for certain; though not professionals, it was quite obvious the incredible amount of training, practice, and desire these dancers had put into thier art.  They did Oak Ridge and all of East Tennessee proud.  And the audience?  Rousing applauses mixed with laughter, oooohs and aaahs only enhanced the fun and pride one feels knowing that your community, on this day, was no different from the World's elite centers of culture.  In fact, probably better.  Better because community arts are truly for the people, by the people.

     As a side note, after the Nutcracker, we walked across the street to a community art and craft show.  (Do you see a theme here?)  Not expecting much, we walked through mostly smiling and nodding to the craftspeople with the obligatory  "Nice work.".  Then, out of nowhere, the lizzard painting!  It was mine, period.  I was not leaving without it.  Why?  Because it made me smile.  An uncontrollable, from the inside smile.  And it was a steal to boot!  So now you can say it.  You read an account where someone referenced the ballet and a blue lizzard painting in the same story!    ENJOY!