Sleeping Beauty

I met a man who has lived in the DC area for over 30 years but has never seen a performance at the Kennedy Center.  He says it as kind of a brag and when others tell him that he should go with his wife he sighs that he knows.  I'm grateful that I never put off the opportunity.  I've loved going to the Kennedy Center since I was a freshmen at GWU and my friends and I would dress up to attend a show.  It completely appeals to my romantic nature.

I no longer feel the need to dress up in my "fancy" clothes but I love any opportunity to see a performance there.  I did not hesitate at all to buy tickets when I saw Matthem Bourne's Sleeping Beauty was touring through DC.

I've always wanted to see one of his productions since reading about his all male Swan Lake that is referred to at the end of the film "Billy Elliot."

The ballet is advertised as a Gothic Romance and there are a few changes from the more classical Sleeping Beauty but it is a gorgeous story and I was transfixed by the beauty of the dancing.  And Tchaikovsky's grand score was still used.

I found these photos on the website for the dance company.  The entire atmosphere was magical.   It's wonderful to be reminded how much I love ballet every once in a while.

Today:  Dance. If even for a few minutes.

The Audience

I had one of those moments when I opened an email from the Shakespeare Theater advertising upcoming events and thought that I would finally try something new.  The theater was showing a telecast of the play "The Audience" which stars Helen Mirren as Queen Elizabeth II. I have seen telecasts of operas advertised in the past but I thought it was comparable to watching sports on TV which I prefer seeing live.  I was wrong and it was worth it. I don't know when I will ever see Helen Mirren on the stage and this was brilliant even if I wasn't in the same room with her.

There are showings still happening and I highly advise finding one near you. I'm sure you can find reviews online but I shouldn't have to say anything beyond Helen Mirren.

There are a couple of other plays that will be telecasted in the near future and one that I already have tickets for is an encore performance of "Frankenstein"with Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller.  I'm excited to see performances I would not have been able to see otherwise.