movement of c

200 type is now 8-bit binary. It’s Friday afternoon, and I’m home resting between performances. This morning was the first performance of Melrose Youth Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker, directed by my dear friend, Jaclyn Capozzi.

The 10am show was home to about 650 school kids, on a field trip to see the show. The Pope John High School kids were my favorite. They started the day off with a loud stomping of the feet (you know, the real enthusiastic kind?). It was great! Then off in the distance I could see these little munchkins wearing funny little hats. I think they had paper Nutcrackers sticking out of their domes! They ran about 8 inches high, which might explain why they were sitting in the back row.

Just to make things clear, I’ll give you a short synopsis of my history with Melrose Youth Ballet, and my involvement in this year’s Nutcracker production. I started dancing with MYB in 1996. I was 12 years old, and it was their first year as a non-profits arts organization. From that year on, I auditioned, performed, and worked my way up from playing the role of an Angel to being in the Corps de Ballet and performing some of the lead solo roles of the play.

Jaclyn, who is my long-life dance partner and confidant extrordinaire, also performed with the company. We were asked back as guest artists while we were in college, and continued our connection to the Nutcracker through the years. This year the position for Artistic Director was open. Jaclyn’s mother who is a close friend of one of the board member’s got a tip that the position was open, and Lori, the board member called Jaclyn to tell her to send in her resume.

Sometimes I wonder if she had the job before she “got” it. Either way, Jaclyn has done a fantastic job, and I am playing the role of Clara’s mother in the opening scene of The Nutcracker. My brother Jonny plays the frisky brother, named Fritz. My two sisters are also in the show, one playing the role of “Rat” and “Flower” and the other playing the role of “Maid”, “Russian” and “Snowflake”. If you know the story of The Nutcracker, these names might have more of a context.

We have four more shows this weekend. We’re performing Friday night at 8pm, Saturday at 2pm and 8pm, and Sunday at 2pm.

Highlights of today’s show included:

• Paul McGowan, “my husband” in the play couldn’t get my necklace on while we were on stage.
• The “scary” rat scene got a few laughs from the audience.
• I barely made it off stage while striking the 30-second scene change before the curtain opened.

Good times! There are some real characters in the Nutcracker. The man who plays “Drosselmyer”, who is a drama student from Saugus High, was in my dream last night. Drosselmyer’s character is Clara’s Uncle, who is full of tricks and tribes. He brings the non-living to life several times throughout the night. In my dream he was just a normal guy behind the counter. I don’t remember much else from the dream, but I do know that when magic Uncles start appearing in my dreams, there is too much Nutcracker in my life! According to his biography, he’s written over 100 screenplays. Hmm….maybe he can work some magic, cause I don’t know about that one.

It’s been a struggle playing the role of a woman who is so primp and proper, but it’s getting to be more natural and lots of fun. Only a dancer, performer, or a stage crew rookie would understand that the stress and absurdity of performing and putting on productions is really what keeps us going. We’re insane, and we love it. And to the people in my life who have to deal with the insanity that stems from this masochistic lifestyle, I love you and it will all be over soon. For now, feast your eyes on this!

Me and Paul in the Party Scene at dress rehearsal on Thursday.

Nikki doing a crazy leap in The Russian Trepak, choreographed by moi.

One of these senoritas is my student at CSDS!

Me and Joie, (the senorita) at the last tech rehearsal before today’s show.

Tired, anyone???