The Nutcracker

Happy Saturday everyone!

Before I planned my trip home, my wonderful mom asked me the (silly) question of whether I wanted to see Boston Ballet's "The Nutcracker" while I was home. The answer was an immediate yes (which I think was probably squealed!), and I have been  counting down the days to the show ever since. I LOVE THE NUTCRACKER. I actually love going to the ballet regardless of the show, but I particularly enjoy The Nutcracker. My Dad has been taking me to the ballet for years as our father daughter date. We would both dress up, head to a fancy restaurant for dinner, and then we would make the trip to the Wang Theater to see the ballet. My mom told me that during the first ballet that she ever brought me to, I threw my arms up mid-show to mimic the ballerinas dancing on the stage. Dancer in my blood? I think so. Anyways,  I have seen The Nutcracker what seems what seems like a dozen times over, and each experience to me is shiny and new. This year, it really was a completely original event  since the traditional choreography and costumes were updated!

My mom and I headed into Boston for an early dinner before the show at Troquet ,which neither of us had ever been to.

Driving in!

The restaurant was very quaint, and we sat at a window table with a view of Boston common.

We split a fresh beet salad to start. The restaurant divided it for us so that we each got our own mini salad!

We also split the cavetelli with black truffles. This dish said Sarah all over it given that cavatelli is my favorite pasta, and as you probably by now, anything with truffles is right up my alley! It was delish.

For my entree, I had the halibut. It had some type of mushrooms and bok choy hidden underneath the fish. It was not the best piece of fish I have ever had, but I enjoyed it nonetheless!

Mini macaron sliders for dessert!

After dinner, Mom and I headed to the Four Seasons for a glass of vino before the show. As you can tell by Mom's "windblown" appearance, it was extremely windy and cold on Wednesday night!

Me posing outside the Four Seasons and wearing the flats I was forced to resort to after the ankle strap on my stilettos snapped while we were walking to the restaurant! It was an unfortunate circumstance, but thank goodness my mom had flats in her purse!

Patiently (or impatiently!) waiting for a drink at the bar! For the record, I put the floppy shoe back on (despite my inability to walk normally in it!) . I didn't care what I would have to do, but I certainly was not going to walk into the Four Seasons wearing gold flats with the dress you see in the photo above. Can you say "granny chique" ?

My beautiful Mama sippin' her vino!

Gorgeous flower display in Four Season's lobby.

Teddy bear tree!

Then we headed over to the opera house to see the show! Wheeee :)

Beautiful entry way to the opera house!

Of course flash photography is prohibited in the theater, so I had to snag this image off the internet. The show was absolutely beautiful, and I thought the dancers performed the new choreography flawlessly. There were a couple of changes to the traditional show that I didn't like quite as much as the show I remember, one of  these altered scenes happened to be the party scene. I used to love that part of the performance for the vibrancy of the costumes.  Instead of the bright, beautiful, and detailed costumes typical of the party scene, the children and parents wore very muted dresses that almost looked like night gowns. Buzz kill.  Despite my aversion to the party scene, I thoroughly enjoyed the rest of the show!

We made the quick trip home- singing Christmas songs the whole way!

Ok, enough for now! I'll be back later with some updates from the last couple days!

xo

Sarah