The Rockettes Christmas Show
So my mom and all of her completely awesome old school RN friends rented a bus and bought great tickets (in August) to see the Rockettes Christmas Show (Radio City Spectacular!) at the Wang. I was skeptical (of course) but knew the gang would be rowdy and the white zin would be flowing so I figured it was a win-win regardless of the show. I also have a soft spot in my heart for the Rockettes, as I credit them and their 5'10 height limit with turning me to comedy and away from the chorus line at the tender age of 14 after a hopeful trip to New York to see The Phantom of the Opera with my home town's senior citizen's group : ) Hee hee - but I digress.
Highlight - huge furry bear ballerinas (Rockettes in furry "mascotty" costumes a la Disney world) dancing to a very pretty medley of songs from the Nutcracker. There were big lady bear ballerinas with purple eyeshadow and pink tu tus and baby bear ballerinas in bonnets and dark Russian bear soldiers in red jackets dancing with huge black eyebrows - it was over the top cute and I could hear in my mind my niece A. (3 yrs. old) saying "them's ladies inside the bears?" and the older and wiser E. (5 yrs old) whispering "A., it's the Rockettes in a costume of a bear, right Mom?" I had no idea it was such a kids' show. Oh well, there's always next year.
Overview - the show was high energy and bursting at the seams with vivacious color combinations (lots of iridescent purple and blue), energetic lip synching, athletic dancing (both synchronized and not), beautiful sets and dreamy wintertime effects. There were definite moments of surreality - the show was MC'd by Santa Claus and there was some weird song and dance between Santa and Mrs. Claus - who I think was supposed to be cutely drunk maybe? The theme was sort of fuzzy combining rock n' roll Santa, traditional carols, songs about presents, high tech references about getting in touch with santa (Palm Pilot, pager, etc.) and somber religious songs within a loose framework of the meaning of Christmas. The non-Rockette dancers were especially other wordly - but also charming and fun in their enthusiasm. The show was capped by a completely serious dramatic (and colorful) interpretation of the nativity scene. It was a little jarring if you weren't expecting a full on Xtreme religious re-enactment after all that glitter and tap dancing - but the effect was breathtaking and the live camels, sheep and donkeys on the stage at the Wang left a permanent impression on me and made me wish my nieces were there to see it.
The Rocketttes were a great diversion away from a stressful work day and a cold rainy evening in the city. The crowd enjoyed the show, clapping vigorously at every feat of precision, control and beauty. It was uniquely Bostonian in its way and I appreciated that aspect having been away for so long. I don't think they would get this show in Austin, but I don't think the Boston crowd would like Esther's Follies so there ya go and there ya are.
Weigh in is tonight - hoping to stay under 239 and push toward 230 (that's my 10% goal). Wish me luck. We're buying a Christmas tree tonight - this season has happened so fast - I haven't bought one gift yet. Yikes! Get thee to the Mall. I fear the mall - get me online maybe : )
Lastly, my friend T thinks I write well but makes an interesting point when she asked (in reference to my last post) "what were you doing before you were wearing leather shoes every day?" To which I guess I am compelled to reply "not wearing leather shoes every day." Hee hee. Ok, not so much with the funny. I get it, I get it. Bah hum bug : )
