Man proposes during ballet performance

AUGUSTA - Instead of a curtain call, the audience at the Augusta Ballet&#39;s performance of ``The Nutcracker&#39;&#39; got a marriage proposal. <br> <br> Samantha Pope of Augusta was led onstage by Cavalier, played by Thomas Shoemaker, to greet her boyfriend of three years, Ted Nobles. <br> <br> With a ring in hand, he knelt beside her and popped the question. She nodded her head in acceptance, the audience cheered and music filled the theater. <br> <br> ``This is wonderful. He really caught me off guard,&#39;&#39; Pope said. <br> <br> ``She expected it Christmas Day, so I had to totally catch her off guard,&#39;&#39; Nobles said. <br> <br> Nobles arranged the proposal last week through the Augusta Ballet&#39;s marketing director. <br> <br> During intermission, the couple was told they had won a backstage passes. When Shoemaker approached them after the show, Nobles excused himself, saying he had to use the restroom. <br> <br> Instead, he sneaked backstage and waited to emerge from the wings to ask Pope to be his wife. <br> <br> ``That was the most romantic thing in my life,&#39;&#39; Pope said through tears of joy.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/12/186574