A tradition worth keeping

El Cascanueces, The Nutcracker Ballet performed by the members of Ballet Juvenil Costarricense and dancers from Ballet Nacional de Cuba in the Teatro Nacional was worth the trip into San Jose. We ate an early lunch in the theater cafe prior to our 11am show. The spinach quiche was fantastic, I know because I swapped by mushroom crepe for Bill's quiche.

This was the first production we've seen without an orchestra. We were afraid the lack of live music would ruin it for us but with only one miscue things went well. It must be said that while we thoroughly enjoyed the show as far as talent goes this production was not up to those we've seen in the past. The costumes & set were beautiful, the interpretation good, the skill of the dancers was good. Unfortunately, we're spoiled by our pasts. They were good dancers but not up to the level we've seen. I was thinking about it when Bill vocalized the same thought. It wasn't just me.

Callista, despite having seen the ballet several times previously, sat speechless through the two hour production. Her friend enjoyed the first act so much she had to call her mom at intermission to tell her about it. I think Bill & I both enjoyed watching El Cascanueces in the National Theater. Bill commented several times at how the place must have really been something back in it's early days.  I thought it was something on this day when it officially became a holiday tradition in our new lives in Costa Rica.