CLICK HERE TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY!
My family and I had the privilege of seeing the 45th anniversary of New Jersey Ballet’s Nutcracker at MPAC Mayo Performing Arts Center on opening night! The production debuted in 1971 and has had close to 900 performances and over a million viewers. As the NJ Ballet states, “Many in the audience who saw the production as children now bring their own children and grandchildren to see this cherished holiday tradition.” It certainly felt special to be in the audience for this community tradition and there was a sense of excitement and stimulation in the air.
The show itself did not disappoint. My nine year-old boy and especially my six year-old girl were mesmerized by the scenes and set designs. It was certainly a feast for young eyes when the 'normal' Christmas Eve setting transformed into the dreamland of a life-sized Nutcracker, sword-fighting mice, and a Christmas tree that grew to a size almost as big as the one in Rockefeller Center. During the scene when the main character's bed seemed to float on clouds in the sky my daughter literally burst out, “mommy this is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen!”
Most of the action and surprising set changes take place in the first act which is inherent in the Nutcracker story, but the second act is full of special dances and dancers in the Kingdom of Sweets. The kids enjoyed the acrobats, all of Mother Ginger and her children, and especially the Sugar Plum Fairy. There are also many children in this production and that made the show even more relate-able and engaging to my family. Speaking of being engaging, during intermission members of the cast were on hand for picture taking and the kids enjoyed peeking down into the orchestra pit to see the live musicians.
The New Jersey Ballet and New Jersey Symphony Orchestra created a beautiful Nutcracker, one that’s especially family friendly and I hope to be watching it with my grandchildren one day.
And now I have an extra special treat for you thanks to our friends at MPAC one lucky Macaroni Kid Summit Short Hills SOMA subscriber can win 4 tickets to see New Jersey Ballet's Nutcracker with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra on Saturday December 26th at 1:00pm or 6:00pm.
CLICK HERE TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY! Deadline for entry is very soon - Sunday, December 20th at 5:00pm. Winners will be chosen at random.org.
TICKET INFORMATION:
New Jersey Ballet's Nutcracker with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra
Friday, December 18th - Saturday, December 26th
Tickets: $29 - $69
To Purchase Tickets Click here
MPAC Mayo Performing Arts Center
100 South Street
Morristown, NJ 07960
*Please note I received tickets in exchange for this review and giveaway, but as usual all opinions are my own!
RULES AND REGULATIONS: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE OF ANY KIND WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. ODDS OF WINNING WILL DEPEND ON THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ENTRIES RECEIVED. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. DO NOT ENTER THIS SWEEPSTAKES IF YOU ARE NOT EIGHTEEN (18) YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER AS OF DECEMBER 18, 2015 AND A LEGAL RESIDENT OF AND CURRENTLY RESIDING IN ONE OF THE FIFTY (50) UNITED STATES OR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH FACEBOOK. ONE ENTRY PER PERSON. ENTRIES VALID FROM DECEMBER 18 2015 THRU DECEMBER 20, 2015 AT 5PM. CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE SET OF RULES AND REGULATIONS.
