![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-f9XgeD5GDModo1_PeGlSZXrZow7yCo5qvFS-Oh8suJ4tBUvGqG6b3AnQigI94rmhhH6r25jC5FOaPxs3QysNgjMT6ZFh9DsNxA26yqHQTw6oMEMzw9IKBUo6CreQNTjhSAGTwbw-ZDk/s200/Screen+shot+2011-12-09+at+8.17.20+PM.png)
...but undeterred, I heartily recommend Carolina Ballet's Nutcracker.
I was privileged to attend a preview Friday at the Durham Performing Arts Center - along with 2000 school kids. They were enraptured. Me, too.
I'm thinking that they especially enjoyed two things: watching other children (in really fancy costumes dance) and THE MAGIC.
Carolina Ballet - with sponsorship from Capitol Broadcasting Co. and WRAL TV - has infused the production with illusions developed by Rick Thomas. He's best known for plying his craft in Las Vegas stage shows.
This is a wonderful way to introduce your kids to the performing arts. Click here for info on performances in Durham and Raleigh.
...and check out this report from TV5 News:
...received a backstage tour. I can't reveal what I learned about the magic props, but the costumes are impressive:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMfAJ_F7I10MAlb9DynBNZp7CagqqX1jv0Bp20Q0ccC237BWP8CsMt45mgu0RNNC6aY9CsFFnesJ6Q6sHTLYGh2vhNGT1K5K3T5otMaxMVRfuef2vJpq2NaMgF9R6YNNbV9zcnmdKCl6I/s400/Screen+shot+2011-12-09+at+8.40.44+PM.png)