Natick Nutcrackers, Day 2: Mass Ballet

(technically, Mass Ballet is in Framingham, but many dancers from Natick attend there, including my daughter. My daughter starred as the Mouse Queen, among other roles, and my wife was Grand-mama.)

Authenticity

Mass Ballet is a full ballet and dance school, starting with a pre-K program and going through high school. Their program is populated with tiny dancers costumed as little mice, little soldiers and, of course, polinchinelles. Mass Ballet's Nutcracker, follows the traditional Nutcracker plot, with minor variations - most strikingly with red-coated (British) mice, and blue-coated (colonial) soldiers. Mass Ballet's Nutcracker is an excellent example of a full age-group Nutcracker.
Score: 9/10

Staging and Costumes

Mass Ballet stages a traditional Nutcracker with traditional costuming. The fairies are plumed with full, sparkly dresses and all the the principals wear gorgeous tutus. Mass Ballet uses Framingham High school, but trucks over a full complement of props and backdrops. The sound and lighting at Framingham High School are exemplary.
Score: 10/10

Christmas Tree Growth

Of course, one of the big scenes is when the Christmas Tree grows tall. This was was well done. Mass Ballet uses a full tree that grows to an admirable height and is very dramatic. No bonus points for a dramatic exit of the props at the end of the scene (see Walnut Hill posting for their extra point explanation).
Score: 9/10

Lacrosse Bonus Points

Mass Ballet gets 2 bonus points for having 2 girls who play lacrosse (although not for Natick, so no double points), plus an extra point for my daughter who formerly played lacrosse, and an extra just because my wife is in it as well and I want to sleep in my own bed tonight.
Total Bonus: +4

Final Comments

This is a fun Nutcracker. If you want to see a Nutcracker with little mice, soldiers, angels and of course polinchinelles, then you've come to the right place. Solid casting, but with a distinct lack of male dancers (probably the same story at most ballet schools). Incredible costumes and Framingham High School is an excellent venue.
Recommended, especially if you want to inspire a small child to be a dancer.

Total Score

28/30 + 4 bonus points for 32 points.

Mass Ballet was hurt by not having lacrosse players in principal roles, despite having my wife and daughter in the cast. Otherwise, a solid presentation.
(a note on scoring - don't take these numbers seriously. Everyone wants to rank things nowadays, but really now, points for lacrosse players? Points for the tree? Bonus points for 80's music?)