Opening Night

Opening Night

‘Twas Opening Night and all through the houses

Every creature was twirling, from Reed Flutes to Mouses

Ballet bags were set by the front door with care

In hopes that our carpools soon would be there.

Clytie in her finery and Spence in his suit

Had just parked at Weber.  They sure did look cute!

Some brothers were thinking, “Nutcracker’s a bore!”

While actual Sugarplums danced out the door.

Anticipation hung thick in the air

As girls fixed their costumes, make-up and hair.

Backstage was buzzing, the dressing rooms packed

Each girl prayed her bun would make it intact.

The lights on the stage gave the whole place a glimmer

Each tulle-layered dancer was eager to shimmer.

Orchestra players cracked open their cases

And notes started flying from oboes and basses.

The conductor, a genius, flew in with the wind

He raised his baton, the cacophony thinned.

Soon it was silent, cell phones away.

Over the crowd, there sounded an A.

Backstage there were places and dancers stood ready

Pointe shoes were rosined, prop moms holding steady

Teachers, they lined up their charges by name,

Checking the costumes on each little frame.

On Party Girls, Party Boys, Parents, The Doll

On Maids, Fritz and Clara.  Take care not to fall!

From the front of the stage to the back of the hall

Let your love for the magic inspire us all.

From out of the pit came the first lilting note

The curtain, it rustled then started to float.

A party unfolded, a girl's dreams were dashed

Her brother was naughty, her Nutcracker smashed.

The Uncle with magic made everything right

The Christmas tree grew, ‘twas a battle to fight.

Mice fought with soldiers, the prince had to carry

Clara to the land of the Sugarplum Fairy.

 A melody swelled and snow settled lightly

The Company dancers’ spirits shone brightly

They tiptoed, they vaulted, they showed all their grace

The passion for dancing lit up each face.

 After the snowfall, the crowd got a peek

At all of the goodies at Clytie’s boutique.

Miniature costumes on miniature bears,

Potawatamie jelly, we all want our share!

As the second act started, the stage was re-lighted

Ornaments, Angels and Servants delighted

The Chinese, Arabians, Spanish, Buffoons…

They all danced their hearts out, the Candy Canes, too.

The Waltz of the Flowers, the Grand Pas de Deux

Each perfect  pirouette’s turn was a coup.

Music soared out through the dark of the night

And up on the stage, all was beauty and light.

When the curtain went down on this wonderful show

There were tears in the eyes of those in the know.

For some of the girls, this would be their last curtain

They were leaving their youth, their futures uncertain.

One thing they knew as they untied their shoes,

Unlaced their corsets and bid their adieus,

Nutcracker would stay in their hearts as they grew

And what seemed like an ending was just their debut.

                                                                                         -Circe Dopp, 2012