The History & Story
The Nutcracker is based on a the story ``The Nutcracker and the Mouse King" written by E.T.A. Hoffman. What is seen on the stage today has changed much from the original story of a little girl named Marie in a loveless household fighting bloody battles against a mouse king with seven heads.
When Marius Petipa had the idea to choreograph the story into a play, it was actually based on the book that had been revised by Alexander Dumas. His version reflects more of what we have come to love as the Nutcracker Ballet.

The Party Scene
It is Christmas Eve at the Stahlbaum house -- A large and grand house with the most beautiful tree imaginable. The Stahlbaums are having their annual Christmas party and everyone is arriving. The children, Fritz and Clara, are so excited and welcome their friends to come join in play and dancing.

As the party begins to get going, Fritz and Clara's godfather Herr Drosselmeyer arrives. He is always full of suprizes. Drosselmeyer presents two life-size dancing dolls to the delight of the party, adults included.

The children begin to open gifts and Drosselmeyer presents his to Fritz and Clara. Although his gift to Fritz is quite nice, his gift to Clara, a beautiful Nutcracker is the hit of the party. Fritz, being a bit jealous and with a bit more spunk than a boy should have, grabs the nutcracker from Clara and promptly breaks it.

Clara is heartbroken and Drosselmeyer knows it. He attempts to repair the Nutcracker and hands it back to Clara.

Soon the guest depart and the family goes to bed. But Clara, worried about her beloved Nutcracker, sneaks back to the tree to check on him, where strange things begin to happen.

The Fight Scene
As the tree grows, the room fills with mice, lead by the mighty Mouse King. The Nutcracker comes to life and engages the mice in battle. Although he summons his soldiers, he cannot stop the mighty Mouse King.

The Mouse King captures Clara as the soldiers seem helplessly outnumbered. The Nutcracker can go on no longer and is also captured. Clara makes a final daring blow to the Mouse King and the Mouse King goes down. The mice all swarm off as they mourn their leader.

The Land of Snow
The Nutcracker turns into a prince and sets Clara out on a journey to a land of snow and enchanted forests where she is welcomed by dancing Snowflakes.

The Land of Sweets
In the land of sweets, Clara receives a celebration of dances:

The Spanish Dance
The Arabian Dance
The Chinese Dance
The Mirliton Dance
The Waltz of Flowers
As a finale the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Cavalier dance a Pas De Deux.

The Dream Ends
Clara awakes from her dream and finds herself by the tree with her beloved Nutcracker.

It has been a pleasure being your hostess. Wont you leave your card so that I know you called?

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Thank you to Nutcracker Ballet for the above information.