It's a crime, really, to have lived in Seattle for as long as I have and not too have been to the Pacific Northwest Ballet's Nutcracker even once. It fuels the misconception that I'm a shut-in who rarely leaves my basement studio. He writes, while sitting in his basement studio.Two years ago I was asked to make a cameo appearance in the Nutcracker as Clara's Grandfather, a role I was destined to play ever since puberty. It didn't work out. My appearance in the show or my puberty. A freak Seattle snowstorm kept me trapped in my basement (purely coincidental that I was there) on the night I was to don my tights.My walk-on Nutcracker appearance had to be rescheduled for the 2012 Season. Just as well, for what right did I have appearing in a show that I had never seen? Last night, I am proud to say, I took the family for that long overdue trip to witness the Nutcracker - my wife, me, my five-year-old daughter, and my 20-month-old son. For them it was a glittery night out on the town. For me it was my apprenticeship. 
I had every suspicion that my daughter would love it, and she did. All of it. The festive atmosphere, the exotic Maurice Sendak sets, the fancy costumes and, of course, the princess. From the very first chime I could see that she had been transported to some fantastic, imaginary place. Only to crash back to earth at intermission when I took the photo below and she sternly told me that taking pictures in the theater "is strictly prohibited." It's good to know if she fails her future ballet audition she can fall back on a career as an usher. Or a bouncer.
Bringing my son, though, might have been pushing our luck. Yet, he too was mesmerized. Sitting on my lap he didn't budge during the entire two hours, except to crane his neck to see the boy behind us get scolded by his mother for talking. Which I enjoyed watching as well (it's fun when it's someone else's kid). And whenever a young girl dancer appeared on stage my son would freak thinking it was his sister and yell out her name (it's more fun when it's someone else's kid). Of course, it wasn't his sister on stage, as she was sitting six inches to his left, but if you consider that most of the young Nutcracker ballerinas were dressed the way my daughter dresses 90% of the time, I totally understand his confusion. 
Being that I had never been to the Nutcracker and that I'm not much of a classical music aficionado, I was surprised at how much of the soundtrack I recognized and genuinely enjoyed. I wanted to hum along, but was afraid my daughter would give me a stern shushing. My wife said numerous times what fun last night was, both for herself and to watch the kids light up. I completely understand why families in the area have made the Nutcracker an annual holiday tradition. But you ain't seen nothin' yet until you catch Grandfather 2012!
Afterward, Benjamin found a fountain. It was just on the ground where you could run through it. I'm sure that isn't what it was intended for but he was in heaven.
Josie knew it was a not really OK, but saw her brother having fun so she decided to join them. Only to have daddy coming in on the right to break up their fun.
Looking at all the lights and the big fountain at Seattle Center
It's hard to see because it is so dark but it is such a sweet photo of them holding hands.
And Josie who was still in her no photo mood.
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