Boston To Do Archives - shell chic'd

Franklin Park Zoo

June 30, 2020 by Emily 1 Comment

It took having a child to make me realize a number of things. Never take a hot meal for granted. West Elm white couches are a serious waste of money. Cardboard boxes and k-cups make the best toys. Showers now belong on to-do lists. It is possible to destroy an entire room with half a cup of pasta in red sauce.

And now, never underestimate the power of a zoo that sits right down the road.

I had heard of Franklin Park Zoo, sure, but something about its city location always had me assuming that it housed a few reptiles and sheep…a cross between a mediocre aquarium and petting zoo was all I ever pictured. Thirteen years I’ve lived in Boston, and not once did I consider that lions and warthogs were but four miles from me.

Guys where have I been? Franklin Park Zoo is home to giraffes, zebras, exotic birds, lions, a tiger…pretty much everything in Eloise’s beloved Animal Friends book minus the unicorn and jellyfish, thankfully so.

This weekend, we masked up for our very first outdoor activity since March. I haven’t even been inside a grocery store, so I was obviously skeptical of a trip to the zoo, with so many littles running around. But Zoo New England, which also manages Stone Zoo in Stoneham, is doing everything right:

Face masks required for all adults and children over 2
6-foot distance markers
Clearly marked one-way path through the zoo (no backtracking or re-entry)
Required reservations and timed entry with a cap on parties per time slot

With Ellie still in a stroller—and 85-degree heat making us less enthusiastic about wearing her in a sweaty carrier—we’ve struggled to find many walking areas outside of our neighborhood, especially as the squares are getting more and more crowded as businesses reopen. This was the perfect destination: Flat, wide walkways with plenty of room to stay away from other families, not to mention the literal safari of animals which we, unsurprisingly, would have had so much fun with sans baby too.

Our tiger and red panda pals were missed on this trip, so I’m obviously already bugging M to take ~~Ellie~~ me back, as well as to Stone Zoo which boasts flamingos, snow leopards, and reindeer(!!!).

Franklin Park Zoo is open 10-5 on weekdays and 10-6 on weekends and holidays this summer. Reservations are required, as are masks.

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This post was created in partnership with Zoo New England. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that support shell chic’d.

lilly pulitzer dressed for summer sale code

57 Thoughts I Had While Watching Boston Ballet Nutcracker 2019

December 6, 2019 by Emily Leave a Comment

And just like that, it’s December again. A year ago at this time I was desperately trying to come up with an excuse for why I was turning down some pre-show champagne and charcuterie (two of my main food groups), and now I’m frantically brushing my four-month-old’s spit up out of my just-washed-for-the-first-time-in-five-days hair. Cheers!

I’ve done some deep analyses of Boston Ballet’s The Nutcracker over the last half decade. Well researched not ironic at all insight on costumes, characters. This year, I’m running on sub 6 hours of sleep and a turkey hangover, so my stream of consciousness is truly the best you are going to get.

1. Interesanté, turns out there was a red + white attendee attire requirement for which I did not receive the memo.
2. But I’m wearing white and am permanently flushed so joke’s on them.
3. How is this also the second year in a row I’m sitting adjacent to someone wearing a velvet bodycon dress?
4. You just don’t forget that.
5. Is 1:28 in the afternoon REALLY too soon for champagne though?
6. I feel like this is a yolo opportunity .
7. Welp too late.
8. This Clara means business.
9. Truly never noticed that the sweeper was actually needed to clear the stage! Well done!
10. How has it taken me 25 years of watching this ballet to realize Clara and Wendy Moira Angela Darling might be the same person?

Clara photo by Angela Sterling, courtesy of Boston Ballet;
Wendy photo courtesy of Disney, I guess?

11. The party scene is my favorite scene and I cannot lie!!!!
12. The dads taking Fireball (I assume) shots in the corner will never not make me lol.
13. I’m normally all, hashtag feminism girls rule girl power I’m so sick of running as fast as I can wondering if I’d get there quicker if I was a man, but I do feel a teensy bit for these little bebe cutie boys who I imagine just aren’t getting the same amount of attention as their female coworkers.
14. And we must encourage male dancers from a young age!!!!
15. Granny and Gramps tryna hang is just next level adorable.
16. Wait,
17. Is Clara,
18, Gloating?
19. TAUNTING even?
20. She seems a little too smug in her showing off this shiny new toy.
21. Possibly unpopular opinion but COULD she have had it coming then?
22. Well now the whole squad’s got Nutcrackers when did this happen?
23. Special snowflakes.
24. (Kidding)
25. No no no, those littles boys couldn’t be carrying toy –
26. GUNS really guys seriously?!
27. God bless Bear still the strongest cast member on this stage every year I tell ya.
28. What is a normal reaction for the soloist who just found out they were cast as Bear?
29. Is it like an honor or a groan or is this a volunteer position?

Photo by Angela Sterling; courtesy of Boston Ballet

30. More rats this year!!
31. Is Mikko sitting there refreshing choreography and staging and is just like, yes, we need more rats this year.
32. Are they mice or rats?
33. Mouseeee King right right you’d think I’m new here.
34. Justice for Gingerbread Man!!
35. Is that a coconut Mouse King is ready to fight with or?
36. Lol remember when Nutcracker fashion had its moment
37. Baller grand jetés there team.
38. Are the reindeer actually pulling that sleigh or is this a trick?
39. Fresh Nutcracker y’all! Hel-lo Lasha!
40. Never realized there is some third wheeling going on here.
41. I know one of the 84 main rules of ballet is to be light on your feet but there is something so delicious about the sound of pointe shoes hitting the ground to me.
42. Murrr the littles are so cute I miss Eloise.
43. Does the Opera House have a mother’s room?
44. Feeling a little full suddenly.
45. Sorry but when did Nutcracker Prince change clothes?

Photo by Angela Sterling; courtesy of Boston Ballet

46. I would happily sit through an entire 2.5 hour performance of the Arabian dance alone.
47. Andddd somehow every new baby black sheep ends up cuter than the last.
48. Pastorale is basically just a 2-on-1 first made famous by The Bachelor™ franchise.
49. These Russians appear to be new and I’m skeptical.
50. One looks like Hugh Grant.
51. Where the actual hell are Isaac and Lawrence.
52. OK OK I take it back you have my seal of approval!
53. Honestly why would anyone ever pay $32 for a cycling class when they could just learn a fraction of the Russian choreography and be done with their workout for the entire week?
54. Entire month in my lazy ass case.
55. Everyone’s all high on Snow Queen and Sugar Plum Fairy and ok rightfully so but shouldn’t Flower Queen also get a little more credit here?
I later confirm Flower Queen is actually Dew Drop. Who knew.
56. Aha you’re all clapping thinking it’s over but I know it’s not over.
57. You’re doing amazing sweeties. See ya next year!

At the time I’m writing this there are exactly 26 more performances of Boston Ballet’s The Nurcracker 2019 and you deserve to be at one! Learn more & get tickets here.

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42 Thoughts I Had While Watching Boston Ballet’s Cinderella

May 24, 2019 by Emily Leave a Comment

Fam I have just realized that I haven’t been to a Boston Ballet production since The Nutcracker which means 1) that’s five months too long and 2) I guess it’s about time I get the dress I spilled my mocktail on that night dry cleaned.

Anywho, last week I finally found myself back at the Opera House for Boston Ballet’s Cinderella, a production I haven’t seen since I played it on VHS during my dance ~~bathroom duty~~ student teaching days! If you’re new around here, welcome to my quarterly 2.5-hour stream of consciousness I so graciously offer through all Boston Ballet performances.

1. Wait is the one stepsister a man?
2. PROGRESSIVE!
3. I’ll never understand why the original illustrator/costume designer/Disney animator (don’t @ me) chose to give Cinderella such cute raggedy clothes if she was supposed to look bad like you aren’t fooling anyone I would 100p buy that dress from Free People.
4. Ok so Dad is alive in this variation got it.
5. Gosh the stepsisters really wear the pants here huh
6. And where is stepmother?
7. Wait she’s not listed in the cast you’re telling me she doesn’t exist and Daddio still lets these bratz dolls push him around?
8. Think I’ve seen that broom prop before. Major Nimbus 2000 vibes.
9. Is a Harry Potter ballet on anyone’s radar?
10. The beggar woman! Is this Beauty & the Beast?
11. Holy CALVES sweet delivery boys.
12. Lol someone flung a string of pearls and all I can think about is my college dance professor’s disgust at dropped props left on the stage and how the life lesson she instilled in me was “if it’s raised get it off.”
13. Honestly all I want in life is a healthy family, a home with ample natural light and a hydrangea bush, a vintage Nantucket basket, and my leg to go as high as Seo Hye Han’s.
14. Fairy godmother enters stage Aww baby is kicking I assume that’s a sign for something cute or maybe just means time for a snack.
15. Pageboys!!!
16. There are no cuter children on this earth than those of the Boston Ballet School.
17. Seasonal fairies…..Sleeping Beauty?
18. Is that the twist? Are all Disney stories actually just ripped off from Cinderella the ballet?
19. Fall is honestly just showing off now.
20. Ok ladies yes let’s get in formation.
21. Spice Girls vibez rn.
22. These fairies + fairy godmother remind me of sophomore year Halloween when all of my girlfriends wanted to go as woodsy fairies and I insisted on dressing as Tinkerbell.
23. The pumpkin! So some Disney magic in this after all!
24. Intermission Wait I’m sorry stepsisters what they were BOTH men?

Photo by Gene Schiavone, courtesy of Boston Ballet

25. I thought it was just a good makeup job!
26. Lawrence Rines comin’ in hot.
27. He can jump higher than I am tall.
28. Oh no wig down wig down.
29. WHEW good recovery.
30. Oh wow here come all the king’s bros letsgo.
31. These fairies may or may not have the prettiest costumes I have ever seen.
32. Cindy is walking down the stairs en pointe I REPEAT walking down the stairs en pointe.
33. She is not giving him a second look.
34. Like literally, is not looking at him.
35. I still don’t understand why people have such a problem with schmucks falling in love in 8 weeks on The Bachelorette when these shenanigans are going down approximately 8 minutes after their first meeting.
36. Poor little cute baby pageboy is looking so nervous!!
37. Mini pumpkins…foreshadowing?
38. Oh. They’re oranges.
39. She’s not going to….yep yes she is going to waltz around with the broom.
40. Oh honey baby sweetie no you’re embarrassing yourself.
41. In what world, 1600’s France, Brother’s Grim, Disney, or the wide world of ballet does anyone actually think the glass slipper is going to fit on a stepsister?
42. Like ok children’s story but honestly you aren’t fooling them either.

Photo by Gene Schiavone, courtesy of Boston Ballet

Fin! As usual, I have nothing truly intelligent to say that will do this production justice, so you’ll just have to take my word that it is playful, entertaining, and beautifully costumed, designed, and danced as ever.

If you’re not convinced yet, why don’t you go ahead and take 40% off your ticket? Use code EMILY40 for 40% off all performances between now and show close on June 8. But hurry! Code expires at midnight.

Kidding, obv.

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Top 10 Boston Ballet Nutcracker Costumes, Ranked

December 18, 2018 by Emily Leave a Comment

Silk Camisole | Tartan Midi Skirt

Fashion was just reeeaaalllyy on my mind during this year’s annual viewing of Boston Ballet’s Nutcracker. Maybe it was all the outfits catching my eye as we found our way to our seats…the floor-length sage dress that was definitely purchased from a bridesmaid catalogue (you’ll wear it again!). A blood red fur jacket. A velvet suit alongside his lady’s velvet bodycon dress (flounce sleeves to class it up a bit). A child in elbow-length silk gloves and I kid you not a hair bow the literal size of her head. My 11th grade homecoming dress.

So I was already in a rather fashion police-y mood by the time the curtains opened and sweet little Clare-bear made her entrance. Alas, Nutracker costume designer Robert Perdziola offers me very little in the way of fashion faux pases (did I pluralize that correctly?) and instead only masterpieces to literally drool over.

Here are the top 10 Nutcracker costumes, ranked:

10. Nutcracker Prince | The gold-encrusted military jacket is impressive and all, but I’ve included NP here based solely on the expert flaunting of his white tights. Can you IMAGINE the winter white possibilities should non-sheer white leggings actually be available to the public? Robert: Where does one purchase these and are they having an after-Christmas sale?

9. Arabian Female | There are a number of reasons I am fiercely jealous of whoever gets to dance this part and they don’t all have to do with the insane sculpting of her abdomen. Rather, her wide-leg pants look like they must be made of silk butter and she gets to wear dangly gold earrings when in my entire dance career I never got to sport so much as a stud. Like I literally had to time the day I got my ears pierced around that year’s performances. Do you know what it’s like to be the only 10-year-old in suburban Pennsylvania who still doesn’t have her ears pierced? Do you really?

8. Spanish Females | Skirt twirl factor = 100.

7. Reindeer | Beside the fact that reindeer are just very in right now (you heard it here first), there’s a lot to unpack here. Silver antlers, studded pants, fur trim. Not an easy lewk to pull off, but these kids are working in.

6. Nutcracker Bear | Is it my personal style? Lol no. Does he wear the hell out of it? Undoubtedly.

Boston Ballet in Mikko Nissinen’s The Nutcracker; photo by Liza Voll, courtesy of Boston Ballet

5. Snowflakes | Because I have tried to make some version of this white tutu look work for the better part of the last 10 years and I have yet to nail it. Evidence.
(Also here.)
(Prime fashun blogging/overfiltering/creative titling days.)

4. Sugar Plum Fairy | While there is no shortage of titillating tutus in this performance, the Sugar Plum Fairy’s comes out on top, including but not limited to the fact that it contains over 3,600 jewels and Perdziola hand-tipped every SP tutu with gold paint. And I complained when I had to hand address a few Christmas cards.

3. Clara’s Outerwear | I truly have nothing witty to say about this beyond the fact that upon leaving the theater I immediately added “floor-length blue coat” and “faux fur muff” to my Christmas list.

2. Pages | Truth, I’m not sure if it’s really the outfits that get me here or just the fact that the baby pages are the cutest gosh darn creatures to ever grace the Opera House’s stage. Side note: This year’s Boston Ballet School students are more adorable than EVER.

1. Mother Ginger | You know how when you compliment a girl on her dress nine times out of ten her response is “thanks, it’s from TJ Maxx” or “thanks, it has pockets”? Mother Ginger is the only one who can up that with “thanks, it’s vintage and can hold 8 small children.”

Boston Ballet in Mikko Nissinen’s The Nutcracker; photo by Liza Voll, courtesy of Boston Ballet

Voila, and congrats to all the winners.

Boston Ballet’s The Nutcracker is playing at the Boston Opera House through December 30th – be there or be square! xx

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Spring Saturdays at Winston Flowers

April 20, 2018 by Emily Leave a Comment

Exactly two months ago today, it hit 70 degrees. In February. In Boston.

Currently, it is 35 degrees. In April. Fricking OBVIOUSLY in Boston. Excuse me while I go tear into my senators about climate change and also search for Florida real estate.

I took things into my own hands last weekend and holed up in Chestnut Hill’s Winston Flowers for a couple hours, where I got to practice my ~~Martha Stewarting~~ flower arranging during one of their Spring Saturdays classes. At least it is springtime in there y’all. I was worried they were going to have to ask me to leave the greenhouse after the extra 30 minutes I spent ~~sunbathing~~ gawking in it post-workshop.

How’d I do in my floral arranging class? Chchcheck it out.

Winston Flowers Chestnut Hill has such a fun series of Spring Saturdays lined up, with workshops for succulent gardening, summer entertaining, and more in addition to the floral arranging class. The next Floral Design workshop rolls in on June 2nd, but click here for the full schedule! Classes and workshops are for all levels, whether you’ve been to eight of these workshops and need some fresh inspiration, or your idea of gardening is remembering to put the powder flower food in the vase before your supermarket tulips. There are also a handful of complimentary demos at the Chestnut Hill location if you want to test the waters before getting your hands dirty.

The finished products, along with vase/pot & complete wrap job, are yours to keep, making the workshop cost worth it and then some. Just don’t wait too long to buy your ticket! My class sold out quicker than you can say hashtag peonies.

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Full disclosure: I received two complimentary tickets to a Winston Flowers Floral Design Workshop. All opinions expressed are my own.

50 Thoughts I Had While Watching Boston Ballet’s Romeo & Juliet

March 23, 2018 by Emily Leave a Comment

A rose by any other name…yadda yadda yadda.

I spent a night at Boston Ballet’s Romeo & Juliet last week and, as usual, had a lot of thoughts. Are you getting tired of these yet?

I meant that as a rhetorical question. Now buckle up, here we go.

1. P2E, P2E, P2E. Don’t forget that our car is parked in P2E.
2. What is it about theaters that make you have to use the ladies’ room as soon as you sit down?
3. No just me?
4. May this first act please be worth the amount of discomfort I am in.
5. Shoot it’s been a while I probably should have pulled out the SparkNotes to freshen up on this.
6. Ah, Paulo Arrais. So glad he’s not the victim of typecasting post-Nutcracker.
Mom: I love this set. It looks like a painting.
7. It is a painting.

Photo by Liza Voll; courtesy of Boston Ballet

8. Gosh sometimes I’m just really, really routing for the males in ballets.
9. Does that make me a bad feminist?
10. Well sure of COURSE now we have to go ahead and give the boys swords and make the girls cat fight how original so progressive.
11. Right so ~~Dumbledore~~ the Duke thinks he can just swoop in here and talk these people out of generations of the most famous rivalry in history?
12. Anyone else getting major Rose/Ruth/Titanic vibes from this mother-daughter scene?
13. OMG was Titanic really Romeo & Juliet fan fiction?!
14. Shit why is everyone laughing what’d I miss.
15. Seeeerious Handmaid’s Tale vibes right now with those hoods.
16. When does that show come back anyway?
17. Ugh I’m struggling to keep up with all these characters and the masks are cute and all but not helping.
18. IT’S THE RUSSIANS!!
19. Right so there are men with this much poise and charm in the world and we have Arie Luyendyk Jr. as our Bachelor.
20. You know when there’s a song you know but you don’t know how you know it?
21. Ooook that ain’t Romeo sizing J up right now.
22. He’s on one knee.
23. IS HE PROPOSING?
24. Reminds me I have some Married at First Sight episodes waiting for me on my DVR.
25. J’s mom just swooped in like a middle school dance chaperone like ok kids have your fun but not too close NO TOUCHING.

Photo by Liza Voll; courtesy of Boston Ballet

26. Is that Pastorale Man?
27. YES JAZZ HANDS YES.
28. He is soaking up this spotlight like me in a dance circle circa 2010.
29. Paris is like choose me! Choose me for a lifetime of tour jetés and chauvinism!
30. Gosh that back is flexible though.
31. I think I drooled a little during that pas de deux.
32. Mom’s crying successful Act I.
33. There is a MASS exodus of every woman in this theater to the ladies’ room so I guess that answers my first question.

Photo by Liza Voll; courtesy of Boston Ballet

34. It’s like High School Musical up in this carnival!
35. Ok but why is a dancer wearing her hair down always code for “peasant”?
36. This girl was 100% prominently featured in her college’s hip hop crew.
37. Shit I hate clowns.
38. Wow so these teenagers get married after knowing each other one day and people are offended by The Bachelor ok.
39. I am on the edge of my seat DOES HE LIVE I CAN’T REMEMBER.
40. Do you think the dancers pillow talk while lying there every show?
41. LOL like the nurse doesn’t know her side boy just snuck out.
42. Do we feel bad for Paris or nah?
43. Sorry but how does a friar know how to make a coma-inducing potion anyway?
44. Juliet is me after three glasses of wine rn.
45. WHY DIDN’T HE GET THE MESSAGE THOUGH.
46. U mad bro?
47. If Romeo stopped and thought things through for longer than like 8 seconds then we really wouldn’t be having this discussion would we.
48. Wait so what happened to Rosalie?
49. Maybe I’ll reread ~~SparkNotes~~ the play.
50. Where did we park again?

Joking aside, this might just be my favorite Boston Ballet performance yet. Three hours went by in a blink! Boston Ballet’s Romeo & Juliet is at the Boston Opera House until April 8, and tickets {as always!} start at just $35. I spent more than that on my lunch delivery this week.

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ps. Here’s the hydrangea coat I’m wearing above!

The 10 Most Underrated Characters in The Nutcracker

December 1, 2017 by Emily Leave a Comment

If you’ve come by looking for my annual stream of consciousness, I do apologize. While I continue to have many thoughts during all viewings of Boston Ballet’s The Nutcracker, I figure there are only so many times you’re interested in hearing me question the hype over a wooden toy that cracks nuts and how lust-inducing the Russians are, despite all current political affairs.

This year I was sitting in on The Nutcracker’s dress rehearsal {such a treat!} and couldn’t help but think about all of the underrated characters that grace this stage every holiday season. Don’t get me wrong, Snow Queen and Sugar Plum Fairy are bae, but what about the underdogs?

Photo by Liza Voll, courtesy Boston Ballet

10 // Bear
Despite being the face of this show, I fear Bear isn’t reeeally taken seriously as a dancer. Hey! You’ve got it easy – no pointe shoes! Just put on this 15-pound fur costume. Breathing and unobstructed vision are overrated anyway. Oh, and you have to pose for photos with crying children before and after every show.

9 // Fritz
Let’s be real, this kid is a turd, but he is adorable and funny as hell, made cuter by the fact that he seems to be completely unaware of such. His little nervous, sour face is irresistible, so we can temporarily forgive his desperate middle-child attention-demanding behavior.

8 // Russians # 2 and 3
True, this scene receives a standing ovation more times than not, but I can’t help but ache a little for the non-soloists in the back. They’re like Lance Bass and JC Chasez. Of course frontman Justin Timberlake is going to rock your world with his quintuple turn followed by 19 fouettes into 24 of whatever those jump things are, but I dare anyone else to attempt 3 seconds of their routine without breaking an ankle or inducing an asthma attack. These are not your average backup ~~singers~~ dancers.

Photo by Liza Voll, courtesy Boston Ballet

7 // The Conductor
Beatrice Affron holds it down in her pit every. darn. show. with little to no regard. There is no double casting here!! HelLO audience, the show quite literally cannot go on without her unless you’re into silent films. Sure everyone applauds for the orchestra when prompted, but is that the best you got?

6 // Pages
Not only are these tiny children delightful on their own, but they deserve a round of applause for being sub-8-year-olds who have to stand on stage in character, in period clothing, for a large duration of a very long show.

5 // Baby Black Sheep
On that note, from the urchins to the reindeer, there are a lot of freaking cute children in this show, but the Black Sheep takes the cake. Every year, no question. I want to shake this kid’s hand.

4 // Mother Ginger’s Hair
That hair is the size of aforementioned Baby Black Sheep. Everyone is looking at her 50-lb skirt, but I am beyond impressed with the perfectly secured foot-and-a-half tall wig balancing a SHIP headpiece, no less, on it.

Photo by Liza Voll, courtesy Boston Ballet

3 // Pastorale Man
WC Fields once warned, “never work with children or animals,” they’re scene stealing. Yet broseph here has to work with both, AS WELL AS juggle two women. I guarantee 97% of the audience’s attention is on the gals and sheep pals, but this guy always emerges as an A+ dancer who gets so little respect! Next time, give him a second look. I mean, he’s not sore on the eyes anyway.

2 // Ballerina Doll
I could watching this chick dance for far longer than the ~60 seconds or so she is given. Every year, no fail, I pout when her cute little robotic self is carried off stage. She must have a side hustle as a break dancer, no? It takes a certain rare skill set to pop and lock like that. Holler at me if you know anything.

1 // Grandmother & Grandfather
Do yourself a favor and tune out the entire party scene {sorry, everyone else} except Granny & Gramps next time you see this show. I don’t know if this is one of Mikko’s recent insertions of humor or what, but it took me until just last year to give them a second glance, and boy have I been missing out. They have DEF had one-too-many eggnogs and are getting all frisky and flirty to one another! The casting here really puts the wind in my sails.

Boston Ballet’s The Nutcracker is running at The Boston Opera House through December 31, and tickets start at just $35. It has become my absolute favorite holiday tradition, and I couldn’t recommend this production and cast—ALL of them—more.

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50 Thoughts I Had While Watching Boston Ballet’s The Sleeping Beauty

May 16, 2017 by Emily 1 Comment

Photo by Liza Voll, courtesy Boston Ballet

As a self-proclaimed Disney princess in training and a former dancer, it’s slightly mortifying to admit that, on the way to my recent viewing of Boston Ballet Sleeping Beauty, I googled “which came first sleeping beauty ballet or story.”

Yeah it was the story. By about 200 years. 10 points from Gryffindor.

I’m here to talk ballet though. With the exception of some VHS viewings during the toddler ballet class I used to co-teach {read: I was on bathroom duty}, I, also embarrassingly, had never seen it. That {finally!} changed this month, and here’s how it went down…

Prologue

What’s thaa–FLOWER CROWNS!
Ohh Mom can I get one? Boston Ballet gift shop is so on TREND right now.
Or maybe she brought it herself in which this 6-year-old is so on trend right now.
How is it 2017 and we have not figured out a way to make holding a handbag, program, ticket, and champagne glass while trying to find one’s seat just slightly more feasible?
Spill number one. I think that lost sip alone cost about three dollars.
God I hope there are no political undertones in The Sleeping Beauty.

Photo by Liza Voll, courtesy Boston Ballet

Showtime

1. BUTTERFLIES
2. And I’m an 8-year-old me in Magic Kingdom.
3. I might cry actually?
4. Oh poms on the shoes, very in gentlemen, very in!
5. KIDS there are KIDS in this performance oh those little ballet boys are such a treat!!
6. Dancers’ effortlessly graceful hands are without question their most underrated feature.
7. No Newbury Street manicure and paraffin wrap ever gon’ make my hands looks that graceful.
8. This Cinderella looking one is stealing alllllll my attention right now and not just because I like her costume.
9. The sound of pointe shoes on a stage gives me all the feels.
10. {loud sigh next to me} Mom too.
11. This scene is 8-year-old Emily’s vision of what love is supposed to be.
12. Can I have some wine to go with that cheese?
13. Related: I am so committed to my husband but good god these male bodies.
14. Stop gaping Emily.
15. Flying monkeys?
16. Nope wrong show Wicked comes to town next month!
17. I swear I remembered my glasses this time but is that makeup or masks?!
18. Masks. Must get prescription checked.
19. I don’t know if this is Mikko’s doing or who deserves credit but Boston Ballet has been upping the sneaky additions of humor lately and it is CLUTCH.
20. I met Mikko Nissinen this month.
21. You could say we’re basically besties.
22. I have FOMO of not being in this ballet right now.
23. Ahhh. They think they defeated this behemoth but we know better.

Photo by Liza Voll, courtesy Boston Ballet

24. This aesthetic is on point so ANTHRO.
25. Like I would have been very happy with this as my own wedding.
26. Minus the whole marrying a man I met once before bit.
27. I’m not going to name names ok I don’t actually know her name but I spy someone who is going to go preeetttyyy far in this company.
28. Speaking of principals! Aurora!
29. Aren’t these suitors a little old for her?
30. Oh who am I to judge.
31. Holy SHPLIT it just keeps going!!!
32. It’s going to break!!

Photo by Liza Voll, courtesy Boston Ballet

33. Why, just why, would you approach a shadowy hooded woman on your own account girl?
34. Well I mean I guess the Beast refused to and got sort of screwed so ok I see your point.
35. So impressive how people dressed then.
36. But honestly there must have been some version of the yoga pant in 1890, no?
37. These nymphs are sporting some J.Crew Holiday 2013 sequins and I’m o-b-s-e-s-s-e-d.
38. This sass is playing hard so hard to get you’d think Prince was just her side boo.
39. She’s all, you think I’m just a dream well how you like me now?
40. I’ve seen a lot of chaîné turns in my life but these chaîné turns really put the wind in my sail.
41. You could say they’re turnt.
42. QUESTION how did Aurora make it to a bed when everyone else froze in place?
43. People are offended by the idea of The Bachelor but girlfriend just woke up and decided she’s ok with marrying him after one walk around the forest and a 100-year break?
44. Lilac Fairy is all yeah, you all owe me.
45. PUSS IN BOOTS who let them in here?!
46. Blue Bird is like, oh, you want me to put my leg down now?
47. But, why did Little Red Riding Hood bring the wolf as her wedding date though?
48. I know it’s the biggest faux pas to even think the word Disney in relation to the ballet but THIS. IS. SO. MAGICAL.
49. I’m not crying you’re crying.
50. Oh good Mom is actually crying.

Because of the company performing it, and the esteem of the story, my expectations were subconsciously set high for Boston Ballet Sleeping Beauty. Unsurprisingly, they were met and exceeded with a cherry on top.

The Sleeping Beauty runs through May 27 at the Boston Opera House. It’s a true gem for all ages, and I can’t wait for you to scoop up some tickets for yourselves!

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Full disclosure:: I was provided with two complimentary tickets to The Sleeping Beauty for the purpose of this review. All opinions expressed are my own

52 Thoughts I Had While Watching Boston Ballet’s Artifact

March 13, 2017 by Emily 1 Comment

Photo by Rosalie O’Connor, courtesy of Boston Ballet

Coming back from a vacation is always slightly easier to do when you have something to look forward to on the other end. For me, that was a hot date with the Boston Ballet at the dress rehearsal for William Forsythe’s Artifact.

The setting:: I’ve got a prime seat in a near-empty theater with two gems—Laura and Celina—a handful of photog/videographers, and Lillian, the darling Marketing Manager for the Boston Ballet. We’re chatting and waiting for the show to start when she casually tells me the choreographer has entered the building.

1. Forsythe is here?
2. FORSYTHE IS HERE.
3. What does he look like? Quick, I’ll Google image.
4. He’s an actor?
5. Definitely wrong Forsythe
6. Backspace backspace, “william forsythe choreographer”
7. GOT HIM ok. On the lookout.
8. Someone’s on the stage. Is it Dusty?
9. Why did I forget my glasses why did I forget my glasses
10. Better to focus on the movements than the faces anyway?
11. The lights are on.
12. There’s no music.
13. Is this because dress rehearsal or art?
14. QUIET DOWN PEOPLE IT’S PURPOSEFUL ARTISTIC SILENCE

Photo by Rosalie O’Connor, courtesy of Boston Ballet

15. Spooky setting reminds me of Into the Woods.
16. (In only the best of ways)
17. Spoken word?!
18. They never cease to surprise me here.
19. Trying not to forget you will hear you will see I think I’m being hypnotized? I think you’ve always been saying the same things down there
20. Their movements are so simple and clean they could almost trick you into thinking anyone could be up there performing.
21. Sorry suckers, harder than it looks.
22. Oh I LURVE the sound of bare feet on stage floors.
23. Takes me back to my younger days when I was taught that the most desirable thing in life is not a perfect dancer’s body or pristine balance or true love but rather perfectly calloused feet.
24. Wow there’s so much going on OH MY GOD I DON’T KNOW WHERE TO LOOK
25. Why you thought you think you saw you thought you think I’M GOING CRAZY AREN’T I
26. Their costumes looks so comfy!
27. I mean, relatively speaking.
28. Bodysuits can only be considered comfortable to a select part of the population.
…………
29. Oh sorry I just lost all thoughts during that section.
30. I am being hypnotized aren’t I?

boston ballet tickets; william forsythe artifact

Photo by Rosalie O’Connor, courtesy of Boston Ballet

31. I haven’t seen high jumps like this since the Nutcracker Russians!
32. If you don’t incorporate syncopated clapping is it really a contemporary dance?
33. This might be the biggest ensemble piece I’ve seen on this stage to date.
34. I’d love to be a fly on the wall when some of these dancers receive their costume assignments.
35. It’s a pas de deux x2!
36. Like a double date!
37. SCENE CHANGE these transitions are so seamless it’s creepy!
38. How did we get down to one couple?
39. Ok I’m picking up on some political undertones.
40. It’s Trump’s America and we’re so confused and can’t keep up and don’t know where to look.
41. Don’t quote me on that one.
42. Women versus men democrats versus republicans?
43. I guarantee this work is unlike anything else these ballerinas have ever been asked to do.
44. Must confirm after show, is “ballerina” a degrading and/or anti-feminist term?
45. I know I know you know I know this is like a high school gossip sesh.
46. This PIANO I’m feeling La La Land right now!
47. SASS is it just me or did this just take a turn for sultry?
48. It’s the three Russians from The Nutcracker!
49. Also don’t quote me on that note to self check program books to confirm.
50. Ok there is definitely a political theme going on here right?
51. I. Am. Mesmerized.
52. I just let out a deep breath I didn’t even realize I was holding.

Like a fleeting summer romance, Artifact had the quickest of runtimes and unfortunately wrapped up last week. But it’s not your last chance to see a Forsythe piece–Boston Ballet kicked off a five-year partnership with the choreographer, so there’s more of where this came from. The improv, the purposeful unfinished production, this was unlike anything I’ve ever seen from this company.

In the meantime, save the date for the premiere of Boston Ballet’s Kylián/Wings of Wax, which kicks off March 23! Assuming my ridiculous commentary hasn’t gotten me banned from The Opera House, you know I’ll be back.

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40 Thoughts I Had While Watching Boston Ballet’s The Nutcracker, v. 2

December 7, 2016 by Emily 4 Comments

I’m about to celebrate my 28th Christmas. That means I’ve seen The Nutcracker, let’s say, give or take, 20 times.

…Not including all of the VHS tape showings I’ve sat through in years of teaching and taking dance lessons myself.

20-something times later, I still feel all the feels. It never gets old, and I never run out of ignorant and ridiculous reactions. So here you have it, forty thoughts that danced through my mind watching Boston Ballet’s The Nutcracker 2016::

1. The chin-up bright-eyed the-world-is-my-oyster look of joy Delia Wada-Gill just offered the audience as she walked to center stage is the same look I get on my face when I walk into a doughnut shop and I hope she never forgets that feeling.
2. OOH chIIIIIlls at that first note GAME. ON.
3. EEEP the urchins are the cutest little munchkins e-v-e-r.
4. Just me or does Drosselmeier resemble Evan from The Bachelorette?
5. God I hope Evan and Carly are still together.
6. I am in literal tears over the fact that there is a biracial couple at this party SO BOSTON SO BEAUTIFUL.
7. The men all just took a shot together is that a new addition to the choreo or have I been missing this action all these years?
8. Grandmother is lookin’ DAMN good for her age.
9. The Ballerina Doll might be the most underrated character of this entire ballet.
10. Welp another year another failed attempt to get this audience up for the standing ovation that Bear solo deserved.
11. God a nutcracker is SUCH a weird gift I can’t get over it.
12. Must have been the Hatchimal of 1816?
13. Is the tree growing or are we shrinking? Asking for a friend.
14. I know the rats are not very likable but can we all take a moment to appreciate how hard their job is?
15. You do realize that’s the same level as playing like Captain Hook or Jafar in Disney World right?
16. You have to be an amazing performer while wearing a fake head four times the size of your own sweating buckets and maintaining composure all while being booed by the audience.
17. GINGERBREAD MAN!!!
18. You are my favorite and I feel the same sort of affection toward you as I know many feel about Li’l Sebastian.
19. Snow Queen SLAY she is f-l-a-w-l-e-s-s.
20. Not sure if I’m just more in tune to it now or if it’s a commentary on current events but this pas de deux is giving off a serious feminist vibe and I am digging IT #girlpower
21. I just want this to be my life.
22. Would I really want this life?
23. You’d, like, never be available for Christmas parties.
24. No it’d be worth it.
25. But like, spiked hot chocolate.
26. Worth it still want this life.

27. My vote for the most impressive thing in this show really should be the number of pirouettes Misa Kuranaga can do or how flexible Lia Cirio is but I really cannot stop thinking about how flawlessly that crown goes onto Clara’s head and how it’s able to stay there for the next 45 minutes.
28. If I am so lucky as to have a son he will be forced into ballet for the sole purpose of becoming one of these adorable baby guards one day.
29. The Spanish set looks like the most fun double date ever.
30. Why do we never discuss the Arabian set’s precious baby snake charmers who sit so politely and patiently on the side?
31. I’m feeling slightly uncomfortable and I’m not sure if it’s because of the eerie music or looking at her abs while acknowledging the amount of pumpkin pie I just ate.
32. This is goals.
33. Starting a Change.org petition to lengthen the Chinese set.
34. TheRussiansaremyfavoritepartofthisentireshowI’msorrynotsorryIcan’tdenyityou’reallbeautiful.
35. BLACK SHEEP BLACK SHEEP I want to snuggle you!!!
36. Waltz of the Flowers SOGOOD right now is it always this good?
37. Ashley Ellis you are Hilary Duff in A Cinderella Story.
38. Forget the rats, pretty sure the most difficult role of this entire show is that of the soldier who has to stand guard for virtually half of this act and is played by what must be an 8-year-old boy aka the most impatient age and gender combination of all time.
39. The Grand Pas de Deux is a literal dance-off and how have I never noticed that before?
40. Misa def just mic-dropped.

Where can you too indulge in The Nutcracker Boston friends? Mikko Nissinen’s adaptation will be playing at the Boston Opera House through December 31st, and tickets start at just $35 {#stockingstuffer}. Forgive me for being blunt, but you will regret not making time for this production.

Photos by Liza Voll, courtesy of Boston Ballet

[ follow along love! instagram | twitter | rss | bloglovin ]

Full disclosure:: I was provided with two complimentary tickets to The Nutcracker
for the purpose of this review. All opinions expressed are my own, and I have
attended Boston Ballet’s The Nutcracker in many years past, unsponsored.

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