The Nutcracker at the Capitol Theatre

The weekend snowstorm brought an unexpected bonus for us ... my sister-in-law Mary called this morning to invite us to The Nutcracker matinee at the Capitol Theatre. Her friend had bought tickets but couldn't make the trip from Wyoming because of the storm. Olivia and Harrison came with me and we had a wonderful afternoon.

Mary with her girls Bethany and Izabella and friend

Me, Harrison and Olivia

Harrison loved the large nutcrackers in the lobby

Olivia was very excited to attend the ballet

All seated and ready

After the ballet, we had tickets to attend the Sugar Plum Party on-stage. Olivia was thrilled to see the magician Christopher Fair who used to perform at the Winner School Christmas parties. She was content to eat her sugar cookie and watch his performance. Harrison was more restless and tired of all of the "girl" stuff until the head of the Stage Crew heard him complaining and said "Let me show you the really cool stuff." He proceeded to show Harrison how the stage hands create the fog with dry ice and hot water, taking Harrison behind the stage to see the large barrels of water with heated pads wrapped around them. We got to feel the barrels and see the water boiling inside. Then he showed Harrison how the snow is made and how they shift the rigging to make the snow fall on stage. He explained how the pyrotechnic guy shoots the cannon and told Harrison the secret of how they turn the Nutcracker in to a live person on stage. Harrison was fascinated with the technical side of things and was more than happy to play with a cup of fog until it was time to go. When we were leaving, the stage hands gave Harrison a Dixie cup with fake snow in it to take home because he had been such an inquisitive kid!

We got some last photos in the entry on our way out

We had a wonderful afternoon at the Theatre. Thanks Mary!