On Sunday I took my Little Sister to see the Madison Ballet's Nutcracker at the Overture Center. It was our second time at the Overture. Last time we were in the second or third row of the orchestra. This time we were in the third or fourth row of the balcony.

Though the height and the angle were rather vertiginous, the sight lines were excellent with one exception: the decorative set proscenium blocked the higher parts of the set, especially the top of the stairway in Act I. The was not a problem in Act II, as all of the action was on the main floor.

The new costumes and sets (well, new as of last year but completely new to me) were indeed wonderful. I particularly enjoyed the variety of styles in the second act. The dancing was also quite creditable, though I am no ballet critic. Nothing really jumped out and screamed "community production" (which was about all I could see when I attended the 1998 performance under JoJean Retrum). About the only thing that bothered me about the show was the casting of Herr Drosselmeier.

I generally picture Drosselmeier as grand and mysterious. He is the favorite uncle, but he also carries an air of dashing and excitement. This production's Drosselmeier seemed more like a goofy stage magician. His scenes with Clara didn't come across as sinister in the traditional sense (oooo, spooky magic!) but rather sinister in the sense of "Get that creepy man away from that little girl!"

My two favorite numbers in the show were the sultry Arabian dance (though, as a nine-year-old, my Little didn't care for it) and Mother Ginger (as always). We both got a kick out of Mother Ginger. It is difficult to watch that big, silly figure sway across the stage without breaking into a smile, and the wee kidlets that came with her were adorable.

That's it for my Christmas theater thus year, as I won't be seeing the Christmas Carol.