Until last Sunday, I did not remember when was the last time I had gone to a theater to enjoy a ballet. In a town like Cumaná, it is not every day that you have the chance to watch a first-rate cultural show like the Nutcracker. I was already resigned that I would miss the three shows because I had to go visit my mother the day of the first one. Then, Paypal did one of those weird things they do and my money was frozen until the 22nd. I was not going to travel and @manujune was going to be part of a much awaited show. I had no excuse to miss it.

I am glad I put aside the frustration of the blocked funds and gave myself the chance to enjoy a beautiful experience. The Nutcracker (Tchaikovsky 1892) is one of the most famous ballet ever put together. It is a complex composition inspired by a relatively silly story by E.T.A. Hoffman, which was in turn adapted by Alexander Dumas. This ballet becomes even more amazing when it has been put together by dancers and musicians in your own town, a town where very few good things ever happen.

Despite the theater’s issues ushering the audience on time and providing security around the premises (drunkards and mentally insane people can be a hassle), the show was amazing. It was especially so considering that, according to our informant, they had little time to learn the piece and quite a few issues making the orchestra adapt to the ballet requirements. Judging by the things she was telling us, we thought the show would be either cancelled or the ballet would use a sound track instead of a live orchestra.

We were gladly surprised by an impeccable production that made us forget for more than an hour about all our troubles and made us travel to a magical land. I think that these kids (most of the dancer and musicians are very young) deserve all our praise and admiration. We know how hard it is for many of them to even make it to rehearsals, stay through the long and demanding preparations, and look their best for a show of a lifetime. I was not sure who had a harder challenge: the orchestra conductor or the choreographer. Both parts did a great job and the result was loved by the audience.

The Philharmonic Orchestra was conducted by Yonny Martínez and Ricardo Blanco was in charge of the artistic direction. Edward Espinoza, Andrés Villarroel, Dialicmar Millán, and Hernán Espinoza produced the choreography. Arquímedes Contreras was the production manager.

Every kid should have the chance to attend a ballet like the Nutcracker at least once in their life. It is an inspiring and eye-opening experience.

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