Mother Ginger
January 8th, 2011 by: cheyenneRonin loves Mother Ginger; we have to watch a video at least once per day. Ronin sings the song, plays with her guys and frequently declares one or the other of us Mother Ginger. And she’s a little ginger bon-bon.
Here we see she’s dressed the rocking moose up as Mother Ginger and staged various guys as the bon-bons. A cheerful dance ensues.
We attempted to go see the Nutcracker performance downtown thinking that we could get last minute tickets for less (since we were still not entirely sure Ronin would be able to sit through it) but it turned out that they were $90! Next year we will have to not be so lame and get our tickets in advance.
January 8th, 2011 at 5:16 pm
Is this performance based on that pervy episode from the Nutcracker when all the little people come out of that lady’s skirt? What are they doing up in there, anyway?
Do you have a link to the youtube clip?
Did you guys see a sloth in Costa Rica?
January 8th, 2011 at 5:18 pm
ps. When I was Ronin’s age, my father tried to make a magical, “Nutcracker”-themed Christmas for me by dressing up as the creepy uncle with a black cape and an eyepatch, then presenting me with a toy Nutcracker.
Apparently, I screamed and threw it out the window.
So that’s another skit you could try.
January 8th, 2011 at 6:30 pm
Now that Christmas is over we’re trying to divert attention back to more agreeable ballets like Giselle and Swan Lake.
We’re also trying to phase out Rudolph the Red Nosed Raindeer… The Foolish Frog song is in the running but I’d almost prefer Rudolph.
January 8th, 2011 at 10:03 pm
I find it curious that a good half of the Mother Gingers out there are exuberant large-chinned men in drag (or appear to be). I guess they need someone big?
January 9th, 2011 at 9:16 am
Mother Ginger looks like she is giving birth to all these little bon-bons. Maybe Ronin needs to hear about the “facts of life”? That said, I found Ronin singing the Nutcracker tune and birthing all those little bon-bons absolutely adorable and mesmerizing. Freud would have a field day with this one. … All primal and innocent at the same time. And, the kid can carry a tune!
Hmmm….Maurice Sendak once produced a Nutcracker in Seattle that was somewhat x-rated. The scary uncle was more interested in little Clara than in the gift of the nutcracker. There are lots of levels to the Nutcracker ballet. I think Ronin really “gets it”. —Oma Peggy
January 10th, 2011 at 12:12 pm
AAK! My head almost exploded from the cute! Right here at my desk. She’s really got the tune and mise en scene down pat.
Mother Ginger is usually a guy because yes, they need someone big, but also because the girls are usually all used up being snowflakes/flowers/shepherdesses,etc. The costume is a real pain to get on and doesn’t allow for quick changes so it has to be someone that’s not in snow scene or waltz of the flowers or any of the 2nd act variations. I’ve also seen it as a girl on a guy’s shoulders (I think they do this at Eugene Ballet or at least did when I was growing up).
In my opinion, all of the story ballets are a little pervy. The Romantic period was big on twisty stories.
January 10th, 2011 at 11:21 pm
Shanti: I’ll have you know that foremost in my head when I watch Mother Ginger is your (and Brad’s) tales of backstage Nutcracker antics. Namely, “Mother Tuna.” I die!
February 1st, 2011 at 6:24 pm
OH sooo wonderful to see Ronin picts
I will come to Oregon soon
shes grown
jeff