He really can fly...

So today my mom and I took the girls to the Aronoff in Downtown Cincinnati to see the Cincinnati Ballet's production of Peter Pan. First I would like to say that I am a huge PP fan. I loved the Disney movie, Hook, and Peter Pan the movie, which was released by Universal Pictures and probably any other form of it I can get my hands on. But who wouldn't fall a little bit in love with the boy who never grows up? The one that can fly simply by thinking happy thoughts? I know I did.

But this, oh wow. This was absolutely fantastic! I love the ballet to begin with. Have since I was a child and saw The Nutcracker for the first time. In the past year I've seen Romeo & Juliet, The Nutcracker, and now Peter Pan, all done by the Cincinnati Ballet Company. I must give them credit, their creative department and their choreographers and geniuses. Anyone that gets the chance should definitely take the opportunity to go see it. Unfortunately you won't be able to see it in Cincinnati again, at least not for awhile since today's show was the finale show. It's sad really, because I'd go see it again and again if given the opportunity.

The costumes were amazing, the choreography inspired, and the music was phenomenal. It turns out that the score for this production was written by Carmon DeLeone, who happens to be the maestro for the orchestra that plays for the ballet. Yes, Cincinnati Ballet Company dances with a live orchestra in the pit. Apparently that's not always the case these days... I guess we're spoiled here because I've never seen the ballet in any other way.

What impressed me the most, or worried me before I saw it, was flying. How in the world was a ballet company going to go about making the ballerinas and danseurs fly? Well, I'm not sure how they did it, but it was awesome. Peter Pan, Wendy, Michael, and John did in fact fly. It almost made me want to go and beg the stage hands to give me a chance to fly across the stage.

But the best part for me, or the most amusing, was the Crocodile, played by Jason Wang. It was hilarious. Hands down one of the funniest performances I've ever seen. I'm not sure if it was the choreography, or Jason hamming it up, but the kid put on one heck of a show. You probably won't believe me, but the Crocodile actually did the moonwalk across the stage. If that wasn't enough to endear his performance, later on in the show he tangos with Captain Hook. I applaud Jason for his talent and performance, because it was truly fantastic. As well as everyone else, but I have to be honest and say the Croc definitely made the show for me.

My daughters loved it, which made me ecstatic. I love that I can finally share my love of the ballet with someone else. And I can introduce them to culture at a young age. For all it's faults, Cincinnati is a wonderful place to introduce children to culture. I think the next step will be taking them to see The Cincinnati Pops directed by Erich Kunzel. That will be a treat the whole family should enjoy.

Until then, think happy thoughts and fly. And always, always remember that living would be an awfully big adventure.