UNM Theater~Greek Myths and Insects

This morning we attended two University of New Mexico Popejoy Hall~School-Time series theater shows with our homeschool co-op, including our 25-30 co-op kids.

The first show was called "Great Greek Myths" and played out the story of King Minos and his son, who was born half bull and half man and was forever called The Minotaur and lived in a dangerous labrynth. We also learned about the bravery of Theseus in slaying the Minotaur, along with his friend, Icarus who wore his inventor father's wings, but flew too close to the sun and crashed to his death after the wax holding the wings on, melted.

We then all ate our lunches outside on the campus, in the warm sunshine.
And a little bit later we went back inside to enjoy the show called "Ant and Grasshopper", which was a cute musical about the insect world and how hard most of the insects work to survive.
Here we are outside enjoying our picnic lunches.
Jeremiah sitting down to the right, in this picture.

Jenna walking to the right in this picture.

Swan Lake Ballet

Oh! I am so happy that I have children who love the ballet and theater as much as I do! We attended an afternoon children's production of Swan Lake today at the historic Kimo Theater in downtown Albuquerque.

Even though Jackson & Jeremiah loved the Nutcracker (twice!) I don't know why, but I was worried that this might be too 'dancey' for them and they might get bored. I was so wrong! Jackson, Jeremiah and Jenna were transfixed on the show and even 'shushed me' if I tried to cue them in on what was happening. They seemed to understand the story of Swan Lake very easily.

The ballet dancers were quite talented, with a wonderful sense of humor. Jackson and Jeremiah both enjoyed the funny Jester and we all laughed hysterically at the Mothers (men in drag) bringing their dolte-like daughters to the ball so that the prince would choose their daughters to marry. The expressions on the prince's and other dancer's faces were so funny,as the 'Mothers' danced and lifted the prince above their heads and postured themselves across the stage. I laughed so hard I cried!

Jackson & Jeremiah also enjoyed the Sorcerer's creative and expressive dancing, and especially his awesome costume. Jenna seemed to enjoy the black swan and the white swans. She knew what they were supposed to be just by the way the ballet dancers moved their arms, backs and bodies. It was all so expressive and beautiful and fun.

I wanted to include the basic story line in case someone hasn't had the pleasure yet of seeing Swan Lake. (At the end are some pictures taken outside of the stage area). The dancers all came out to greet us, sign autographs and take pictures.

The Party and the Discovery of Swan Lake
Act I
Prince Siegfried arrives at his 21st birthday celebration on the palace courtyards to find all of the royal families and townspeople dancing and celebrating, while the young girls are anxiously seeking his attention. During the exquisite celebration, his mother gives him crossbow and informs him that because he is of age now, his marriage will be quickly arranged. Hit with the sudden realization of his future responsibilities, he takes his crossbow and makes haste to the woods with his hunting buddies.

Act 2

Getting ahead of the group, Prince Siegfried finds himself a peaceful spot by an enchanted lake where swans gently float across its surface. While Siegfried watches, he spots the most beautiful swan with a crown on its head. His buddies soon catch up, but he orders them to leave so he can be by himself.

As dusk falls, the swan with the crown turns into the most beautiful young woman he has ever seen. Her name is Odette, the Swan Queen. She informs the young prince that an evil sorcerer, Von Rothbart, who so happens to be disguised as Prince Siegfried’s mentor, has turned her and the other girls into swans and that the lake was formed by the tears of their parents' weeping. She tells him that the only way the spell could be broken is if a man, pure in heart, pledges his love to her. The Prince, about to confess his love for her, is quickly interrupted by the evil sorcerer. He takes Odette from Prince Siegfried’s embrace and commands all of the swan maidens to dance upon the lake and its shore so that the prince cannot chase them. Prince Siegfried is left all alone on the shore of Swan Lake.

Act 3
The next day at the formal celebration in the Royal Hall, Prince Siegfried is presented with many prospective princesses. Although the princesses are worthy of his attention, he cannot stop thinking about Odette. His mother commands him to choose a bride, but he cannot. For the mean time, he satisfies his mother's request by at least dancing with them. While the prince is dancing, trumpets announce the arrival of Von Rothbart. He brings his daughter, Odile, on whom he has cast a spell to appear as Odette. The prince is captivated by her beauty as he dances with the imposter. Unbeknownst to Prince Siegfried, the true Odette is watching him from a window. The prince soon confesses his love to Odile, thinking that she is Odette. To Odette’s horror, she flees into the night.

Prince Siegfried sees the real Odette fleeing from the window and realizes his mistake. Upon his realization, Von Rothbart reveals to the prince the true appearance of his daughter Odile. Prince Siegfried quickly leaves the party and chases after Odette.

Act 4
Odette has fled back to the lake and joined the rest of the girls in sadness. Prince Siegfried finds them gathered at the shore consoling each other. He explains to Odette the trickery of Von Rothbart and she grants him her forgiveness. It isn’t long before when Von Rothbart and Odile appear in their evil, un-human, somewhat bird like forms. Von Rothbart tells the prince that he must stick to his word and marry his daughter. A fight quickly follows. Prince Siegfried tells Von Rothbart that he would rather die with Odette than to marry Odile. He then takes Odette’s hand and together they jump into the lake. The spell is broken and the remaining swans turn back into humans. They quickly drive Von Rothbart and Odile into the water where they, too, drown. The girls watch the spirits of Prince Siegfried and Odette ascend into the heavens above Swan Lake.



Both Jackson & Jeremiah were so excited and a little nervous about standing beside the beautiful 'swans'. Jenna was overwhelmed, in a good way, by the experience. Both boys enjoyed talking with the Jester and telling him how much they enjoyed his performance.

The evil sorcerer Von Rothbart, was happy to pose in a picture with Jackson & Jeremiah. The boys were thrilled!!

Update: Dino-Vocabulary~Mammoth Follies

We really enjoyed the Mammoth Follies theater today. Jenna especially enjoyed the "Mommy & "Daddy" Triceratops and the very large red T-Rex. We went with our Albuquerque Homeschool co-op friends and we stayed afterwards to visit with the actors and ask questions. Jackson was fascinated about the mechanics used to manipulate the huge dinosaur puppets.

We also learned that the style of puppetry the Mammoth Follies used is called Bunraku, which is a Japanese style of puppetry. Outside of Japan, the word "Bunraku" is used loosely to refer to any style of puppetry where a full-bodied puppet is manipulated by any number of visible puppeteers who may or may not be dressed in black. This is primarily to distinguish such manipulation from other puppetry styles (hand puppets, marionettes, shadow puppets, etc).

Bunraku is actually the name commonly used for ningyo joruri - ningyo meaning puppet and joruri being a kind of chanted narration. Puppet plays are believed to have their origins in the 10th or 11th century.
Itinerant entertainers, many from Awaji Island in the Seto Inland Sea, presented plays in the nearby cities of Osaka and Kyoto. To see some pictures of traditional Bunraku click here

Nutcracker Ballet

Jackson & Jeremiah were so excited for us to attend the production of the Nutcracker Ballet at UNM's Popejoy Hall this month. They still have fond memories of experiencing the Nutcracker in South Carolina at Winthrop University 2 years ago. We attended a night time event with all of South and North Carolina's homeschooling community and it was a 2 hour magical evening.

This time, the ballet was in the daytime, only 60 minutes long, and still with a homeschooling group, but smaller and more intimate. And best of all, we'd be taking Jenna! To her very first theatrical production!
And it was truly wonderful! All the kids and adults enjoyed the performance and were so well-behaved and focused. Jackson and Jeremiah's favorite part is still the Rat King and Nutcracker Battle scene. But they added to that list, in this unique production....lots of small, but loud and colorful fireworks, and a dry-ice fog that literally buried us, because our seats were only 3 rows from the stage and therefore, BELOW the stage! It made us giggle watching the fog roll in and over us. I don't know why. But it was very funny!

We also enjoyed this one scene where a man dressed as a woman danced in with a dress the size of a house. And all of a sudden a door opened up in front and lots of fancily dressed children came dancing out.
Jenna enjoyed all of the beautful dresses and the dances. She was also fascinated with the glowing red eyes of the Rat King....and when the person playing the part came out and introduced himself...and removed his Rat head! Boy, was she surprised!We really enjoyed our theater experience, especially with our homeschooling friends.

Afterwards we all walked over to the Frontier Restaurant, a local popular favorite with the best 'sticky buns' called Frontier Rolls. I was especially looking forward to buying my kids their first Frontier Rolls and watching them devour every last bite, which they did with gusto!
John and I and our friends, used to visit Frontier Restaurant over 14 years ago, before we even had kids. And, you know what? Even with inflation, Frontier Restaurant has kept their Rolls the same price they were 14 years ago! Way to go, Frontier! Yummy!!

Me and my boys hanging out with the 'bronze people' after the show.

Jackson, Jeremiah and their friend Emri

Jenna enjoying a 'bronze people' piggy-back ride. By the way, I'm wearing my first handmade scarf. I completed it recently and it only took me about 8 hours to complete, but that's because I made it extra long and used the very feathery yarn. I've since finished two more scarfs and 4 more hats. I'm a 'knitting knut'! heheh

Some of our homeschool co-op friends, Gretchen and Alison and kids

Some of the kids visiting with the 'bronze people' outside of Popejoy Hall after the show

More of our homeschool co-op friends, Sharon & Karen.

Jeremiah finishing up his Frontier Roll

Jenna munching her Frontier Roll, with full cheeks and another fork-full on its way!

Jackson's sticky fingers after eating his Frontier Roll

Some of my dear co-op friends, Sharon, (and me), Karen, and Laura at Frontier Restaurant