Originally Posted by Beach girl

Went to see "The Nutcracker" at the Kennedy Center, by the American Ballet Theater.

This officially starts the Christmas season for me. ;-)

It was the best, most innovative "Nutcracker" I've seen in years. Wonderful performance, different choreography, that made all the children real children, taunting, teasing, getting into mischief, and young Clara and the young Nutcracker age-appropriate sweethearts - and then they are magically transformed into an adult Princess with her Prince.

We have seen "The Nutcracker" every year for the past 10 or 11 years, and this one was by far the most innovative, charming performance.