Night out in Newport

I am nuts for the Nutcracker.

It has become a tradition in my family (all right minus the boys—it's just a mom and daughter tradition) to go and see The Nutcracker ballet performed every Christmas season.

 Since as long as I can remember, my four year old self sat perched on a cushy red chair out in the midst of the audience wishing, dreaming and waiting for the day to come where I would be transformed into the sugarplum fairy.

Well, my ballerina years were short lived and I never did dance the waltz of the flowers or flutter around quite like the sugarplum fairy—or even one of the little scurrying mice.

 I did however come to collect an absurd amount of nutcrackers and other paraphernalia that show I sure did not ever miss one performance.

Last night, my mom and I took our annual Nutcracker-night-out to Newport, Rhode Island where Island Moving Co. performed the classic Christmas tale right before our eyes in Rosecliff Mansion.

Was it magical you might ask?

Is the pope catholic I might ask in return?!

It was like I had been transported right there into Marie Stahlbaum's dream.

The performance moved through out the first floor rooms of the beautiful mansion, Christmas trees and glitter filled every corner—it was a Nutcracker wonderland.

So, if you have recently been sitting around not spreading any Christmas cheer or singing loud for all to hear and wondering where on earth your inner Buddy the elf is hiding...check your local Nutcracker listings.

-Alex