Hi guys!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS! <3 Isn’t this time the best? The day before Christmas. The days before the hustle and bustle of the holidays and New Years Eve are both my favorite. I just finished my coffee, topped with some whipped cream, and I am sitting on my couch and excited to blog this morning. It’s rare that I get to leisurely wake up, eat breakfast and drink coffee, and blog while watching the Today Show. I love it!
Once this post is over, I have lots of errands to run before everything closes. I need to send a Christmas gift to my grandpa in St. Louis, pick up one last minute item for Todd, pick up some stamps, and paint my nails. Busy, busy, busy!
A couple Friday’s ago, Todd surprised me with a one-year anniversary outing (my surprise is this week – shhhhhh). I was so excited to find out that he had tickets to A Christmas Carol presented by Great Lakes Theater at Ohio Theatre at PlayhouseSquare. We had such a good time and I loved it. I’ve seen it in theaters before, but this production was just amazing. I really appreciated the pacing of the script. I was never bored and always anticipating the next scene or surprise.
What was really funny about Todd’s surprise was that Ballet in Cleveland asked me to be their guest and join the Cleveland Young Arts Professionals Network to see A Christmas Carol and take a backstage tour before the production! So, I was lucky because I had the opportunity to see it TWICE! This was awesome because there was a lot I missed the first time around. Also, see the behind the scenes action really put the whole play into perspective. It was also fun hanging out with Jessica, the Founder of Ballet in Cleveland, and her friend Christina.
Todd Krispinsky, the Marketing and Public Relations Director, gave us the tour. He’s so nice and the tour was really fun.
Interestingly, this production was only going to be on for about 5 years. I think he said it started in 1989 (forgive me if I am wrong on that date!), but obviously has gone on a lot longer. The props and furniture for the play was only meant to last 5 years! Some of it is still being used but every year, they make it a point to completely redo at least one piece.
Todd talked about how they were able to disappear under the stage using a trap door. Now you see him…
…now you don’t! Haha. It was quite fun to see this. Not gonna lie, I wish I could have tried it out!
Scrooge’s bed.
Hi, Todd!
This is the Scrooge costume they use when the Ghost of Christmas Future shows Scrooge his body on his bed… SUPER CREEPY, yet awesome. 
We learned all about how the fog is managed on the stage. The temperature has to be just right in order for them to pull it off. Plus, there’s different types of fog used for various scenes.
The Ghost of Christmas Future was by far the scariest costume. This picture doesn’t do it justice! It’s HUGE!
As we were leaving the stage to go downstairs, they put the house curtain down.
Once we were downstairs, we saw a bunch of costumes.
Marley’s chains….
Marley’s costume, all ready to go!
Remember the trapped door from earlier? Well, this is was it looked like underneath. There’s a hug padded mat ready to catch the cast members as they fall through. Again, I wanted to try it! 
It was so lovely seeing the backstage area. Thank you so much, Great Lakes Theater, Cleveland Young Arts Professionals Network, and Ballet in Cleveland for the ticket and the tour. I had a blast!
Next, Jessica, Christina and I watched the Honors Chorale and Triple Threat Performing Ensemble sing carols. I loved it and it definitely put me in the holiday spirit! Then, the three of us watched A Christmas Carol. I liked it even better the second time around. I plan to see it again next year and maybe make it a holiday tradition. The message in the play is so important and it’s a great idea to be reminded of it every year.
Christina, Jessica, and I.
Tonight, I am going to Todd’s aunt’s house to celebrate Christmas Eve with his family. Todd will be on duty Christmas Day (boo!) and I’ll be in Hudson hanging out with my family. I really cannot wait! I love the holidays!
Have a fabulous day everyone!
Julie
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
As a GLT alum, seeing Todd on your blog made me smile so much. That backstage tour is a great one, especially with all the tricks. Great Lakes’ production of A Christmas Carol is really a Cleveland holiday gem – something each Northeast Ohio should see at least once – or every year!
Alicia at Poise in Parma´s last [type] ..yoga teacher training: commitment, intention and contentment
Happy Hanachristmas to you!
Crystal @EatDrinkCleveland´s last [type] ..Last Minute Shop Local Guide
What a cool experience! I can remember going to see the GLT production of A Christmas Carol many times over the years. Merry Christmas!
Jen @ Why CLE?´s last [type] ..Why? Weekends!
What a fun look at the behind the scenes!!! But hello? The trap door scares the hell out of me!
Hope you had a wonder Christmas my friend!
XOXO
Gwen´s last [type] ..From Our House to Yours
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