If you are expecting a great review of an awesome family orientated, "Dance-Along Nutcracker" put on by the San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band , which promised a nautical scenery, an Ariel meets Nutcracker-kind of setting, great fun for kids and is supposedly the MOST child friendly Nutcracker in the Bay Area,
... you may stop reading right here!
Because this was anything but what we had expected. Holy smokes ... what a BIG BUNCH OF BELONIE!!! The crappiest Nutcracker performance (without the actual Nutcracker, Clara, ballerinas and classical dancing) I have ever come across!!!
Boy was I ever pissed and boy-oh-boy were my girls ever disappointed, not to mention the horror-stricken husband who had to look at "dancers" outfitted and acting like they really did belong into "The Birdcage".
I actually love that movie, it's one of my favorites and I have NO PROBLEMS at all with Lesbians, Gays and whatever else there is out there in this big world of ours, BUT I do have an issue with a show promoted to be the most family friendly, child friendly and happiest Nutcracker show in the Bay Area which turned out to be some sort of Cabaret with half naked man, showing their guts (with 6 packs in them not on them), women dressed up as men (much to the confusion of my children) and dancers who, until yesterday I guess, had never seen a dancing studio, a choreographer, a dance teacher, coach or even just an instructional video in that matter. It was by far the worst show I have ever seen!
This is what we had expected and what was promoted
Professional dancers (to the right!!!), on the dance floor, showing off their art and their talent to my ever-so-much-ballet-loving Ls.
But what we got instead was sad and disappointed Ls, waiting for their beloved Nutcracker,
dancing-this
and tutu-that
it just felt more like a Gay-Pride Parade than anything else.
(again I have no problems with the Gay Pride Parade but I had come to watch the Nutcracker with my kids)
Half way through we had two choices, we'd leave and forget about it or we'd make the best out of it.
And so we did ... make the best out of it.
The Ls warmed up to the dance-along part (which was in between the "Cabaret parts") and we just ignored the tutu-wearing adult people around us, who kept looking at children like they were the Devil himself, and just danced and had fun with the Ls.
The Ls were totally dressed up in tutus, wings, ballet shoes and so on ...
Pat was not going to let his girls leave with a sad face. He MADE them dance until they had fun.
Then Lulu was in best form and showed these wana-be-dancers of this terrible show how it's done by REAL dancers!!!
She got this VERY special, hand-made tutu, just for her, in lila of course, for her upcoming Ballet Recital.
She LOVES it!!!
L finally smiling too!
Lulu meeting one of the "show" girls.
The Orchestra, which was actually VERY good and very funny dressed up came marching back in after the break.
Divers
Neptune and "mermens"
beach boys
The orchestra was seated right on the dance floor, which was another plus point.
The Ls could walk up to them, watch them play the instruments and both were fascinated with the sounds and the REAL "music makers" as Lulu called them.
Oh and then there was the Orchestra dog ... another PLUS point!!!
We ended the day with a trip to Mel's Drive In Diner to "celebrate" the great performance.
Juke-Box and milkshakes
guaranteed to make them smile again!
So this was the first of the "Three Nutcracker Season" for this year.
My ever so wonderful husband is treating me to the Nutcracker of the San Francisco Ballet on Thursday.
He got seats up in the front to so I can see my friend the Ice Prince and his AMAZING gluteal muscles live and up close. He knows "buttox-boy" is my favorite and he wanted to make sure I'd see the object of my desire dancing right in front of me ... and I love him for that even more!!!!
And on Sunday we'll see the Nutcracker of the Berkeley University in Fremont with the Ls and our Surprise Guest of Honor!!! (am I glad I did not make him go and see "The Nutcage"!!!)
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