"Babes in Toyland"

As I mentioned in my previous post, "Babes in Toyland" consumed my last week. My studio presents two ballets each year and my first year here I was heavily involved with both of them. Last year, after having Marshall, I didn't do anything for the ballets except attend. I must admit, I did enjoy the break, these rehearsals end up being very time consuming! But, in August my boss asked me if I would like to help choreograph and/or perform in our holiday ballet, "Babes in Toyland". Richard and I talked about it and decided that I would help choreograph, but I could only give three Saturdays and then help out with rehearsals during the last week. Well, three rehearsals quickly turned into many and then into performing-hence the crazy week!

Despite the crazy time commitments, it ended up being a very fun experience and it was fun to be on stage dancing and performing again. I, along with my co-worker Sarah, played the thugs of the show. We were the evil, but clueless, bad guys. We had a lot of fun creating our dances and there was much laughter involved! Lori, another co-worker, played the evil toymaker and did a phenomenal job.


Here's a picture of the entire adult cast. Mother Goose, the narrator, was played by our theatre teacher Katie. The man in the picture is the father of one of our dancers. He played Uncle Barnabee and was the boss of the incompitent thugs. :) Quick story about him, for our spring ballet last year my boss needed a prince for one scene. The week of the show she asked the parents if they knew anyone who would be willing to be in one simple scene. This man's wife volunteered him and he was very, very mad! But, when it was all said and done he loved it! So, when my boss asked him this fall if he would like to perform again he didn't even hesitate! He grew up playing sports and still coaches sports, but said that performing and being on stage gives him the biggest rush he has ever experienced-even more exhilirating than scoring a touchdown or winning a big game. Anyway, he ended up doing a great job. I keep telling Richard about this in hopes that someday when we have a daughter who needs a dad to help out with a performance he will do it; he tells me that this will never happen, but we will see!

And of course, a picture of the kids, not all of them, but most.