The Nutcracker According to Mother Goose

Nimble Jack, a toy soldier, Nibbles the mouse, and Mother Goose herself (played by Linda Z. Andrews)

The Nutcracker According to Mother Goose
The Cowles Center

Last year to celebrate Tori’s birthday, we had a girl’s day out  in Minneapolis.  We chose to go to the ballet.  And what a perfect first time “ballet” experience to have!   (I would like to formally announce that birthdays in December are wonderful.  There is so much going on.  Yes, it’s for Christmas, but it was really easy to find something fun to do because of it!)

The Zenon Dance Company’s  Nutcracker According to Mother Goose performing on December6 and 7 at The Cowles Center is a perfect family holiday treat.

This year  is the 7th year of the Zenon Dance Company ‘s holiday tradition, and it’s quickly becoming a classic. The Company was founded in 1983 by Linda Z. Andrews as a modern and jazz dance troupe. So no, you aren’t taking your child to the ballet per se, but in the long run, it doesn’t really matter.

Our parking experience:  We drove into downtown Minneapolis, missed our turn onto Hennepin, found a spot to turn around, came back and continued forward.  Then, we got to the Cowles Center and drove past it, went around the block, drove past it again, went around the block, and pulled into the first parking garage we found.  It was a little bit pricey, but we were so excited that we didn’t care.

When we came out of the ramp, we were in the atrium of the Shout House. (I have never been there and only heard of it)  When we walked out of the building, to our left was the Pantages Theatre (again, never been there, just heard of it) and to our right across the street was the Cowles Center.

We walked into the Center, received our tickets at will call, went to the bathroom (it was beautiful and clean!), and walked into the theatre. We took an illegal picture of the simple stage and sat back to wait for the show.

The Gooddale Theatre holds 500 people.  It is very small and super intimate.  Our seats were on the Orchestra level, and we were 4 rows back.  And except for the tall man sitting in front of Tori, they were perfect seats.  We fixed that problem by having her sit on my lap.

The performance was wonderful.  The title The Nutcracker according to Mother Goose is a bit misleading.  Basically, they took nine Mother Goose stories and danced them to the music from The Nutcracker.    The Duke of York was performed to the  March of the Toy Soldiers.  Mary and her Lamb was danced to the Dance of the Shepherds.  Mary Contrary was danced to the Waltz of the Flowers.  Wee Willie Winkie was performed to the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies.  And so on.

We liked Little Bo Peep’s sheep when they would shake their tails.  Tori liked Tom the Piper’s Son, Kyla like the Monkey in All Around the Mulberry Bush.  And one of my favorites was Nimble Jack (who danced the Dance of the Twirling Cossacks over his candlestick).  Nimble Jack got “tired” and started dancing as a pooped-out dude and it was hilarious!

After the 45 minute show was over, Kyla said, “Mom! I would love to meet the dancers!” I told her that would be wonderful, too. Without giving it another thought, we walked out of the theatre.

And there in the lobby?   Characters from the performance.

Afriendly sheep told us that they love to do this.  It is so much fun.  Every year is a little bit different.

And, every year, they add more glitter!  Where are they going to add it this year?

The Nutcracker According to Mother Goose is interactive, funny, entertaining, and exciting for you children.  And for mom and dad, too!  It was a joy to bring my girls to see this performance and experience dance with them.  While it’s not real ballet, it’s a perfect way to introduce the Nutcracker to your little ones (and your not so little ones).

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