Overview
One of the Most Well-known and Beloved Holiday Traditions!
The Nutcracker is a two-act ballet with a score written by Pyotr Tchaikovksy and originally choreographed by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov. The original performance was on December 18, 1892, and The Nutcracker has since become one of the most well-known and beloved ballets, especially around the Christmas season.
Our story begins on a snowy Christmas Eve in 1892 as party guests arrive at the home of the Stahlbaum family. The Stahlbaum daughters, Marie and Fritzi, wait impatiently for the unveiling of the sparkling Christmas tree, while the guests celebrate with dancing and gifts. As the grandfather clock strikes eight, a mysterious figure strides into the room. It is Herr Drosselmeyer, a talented toymaker and Marie’s godfather, who has brought with him gifts for the children. His lifelike dolls dance to the delight of all. Drosselmeyer has one more toy to share: a wooden Nutcracker, carved in the shape of a toy soldier. Marie falls for the Nutcracker at once and cradles it until Fritzi breaks it in a fit of jealousy. Marie is heartbroken. However, Drosselmeyer uses his toymaking skills, and a little magic, to repair the Nutcracker. As the party comes to a close, all the guests honor the grandparents with a dance. During the night, Marie creeps downstairs to check on her beloved Nutcracker, reaching the parlor as the clock strikes midnight. Suddenly, mice fill the room as the Christmas tree grows to dizzying heights. The Nutcracker springs to life and Marie finds herself in the middle of a battle between an army of toy soldiers and the mice. The Nutcracker is wounded in battle. When the Mouse Queen advances upon him, Marie throws her slipper at the royal rodent, distracting her long enough for the Nutcracker to finish her off. The mice retreat and the Nutcracker leads Marie through a moonlit night to a pine forest in which snow flurries, snowflakes and the Snow Queen dance, beckoning the travelers to journey on to the Nutcracker’s kingdom. When Marie and the Nutcracker reach the enchanted Land of Sweets, he is transformed into a Prince. The Dew Drop Fairy, who had ruled the land in his absence, listens in wonder as the Prince tells how Marie saved him from the Mouse Queen.
In honor of the young heroine, a celebration of sweets from around the world is produced: chocolate from Spain, coffee from Arabia, tea from China, and candy canes from Russia. Mother Ginger and her children, the Polichinelles, greet Marie, followed by a company of marzipan flutes. A string of beautiful flowers led by the Dew Drop Fairy performs a waltz, and the Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier adds their dance to the celebration. After a final waltz is performed by all the sweets, the Dew Drop Fairy ushers Marie and the Prince to their sleigh, which takes off as they wave goodbye.
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