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A mesmerizing Nutcracker from Boston Ballet

A mesmerizing Nutcracker from Boston Ballet

Mary Hierholzer

The only thing better than The Nutcracker is the laughter and awe erupting in a theater packed full of delighted children. Mikko Nissinen's production of The Nutcracker is a seamless production balancing artistic sophistication with innocent playfulness. The dancers of Boston Ballet bring Nissinen's whimsical vision to life for all to enjoy, but wisely keep kids—their most important and inspired constituency—in mind.

A rich air of the Regency Period dresses the classic Christmas tale set to Tchaikovsky's masterpiece score. Devoid of sickly colors and kitschy, outdated gimmicks in other productions, this Nutcracker feels like ballet in a major key. Plenty of activity keeps the eye busy without overwhelming it. It's family friendly, especially the Battle Scene, where plush mice lob candy treats at the Nutcracker's soldiers and nibble on a giant gingerbread cookie (played by a young Boston Ballet student). It's lighthearted, but not trite—and if that plush dancing bear in the Party Scene doesn't make you smile, you've got a serious Scrooge complex going on.

Settle for More
Blogs

Settle for More

Diane Kilgore

Settle for More is an autobiography by 46-year-old Megyn Kelly. Ms. Kelly is familiar to many as the host of her own show on Fox TV but more widely known as a one-time nemesis of Presidential candidate, now President-elect Donald Trump. The well articulated book envelops Kelly's psychological trajectory from tom-boying to television personality in 324 easy-reader pages.

Megyn Kelly's tenacious spirit echoes throughout Settle for More's reiteration of challenge. As a student, in personal relationships and in business the chronicle's wider message is testimony that for Kelly achieving more as a lawyer, broadcaster wife and mom have been the result of courage, determination, and will. Ambition, beauty and education are not the only assets that make the journalist a triple threat. In detail she explains she's also benefited from the love of a closely knit family, a therapist, and supportive colleagues in her best and worst days.

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