The Story
The Nutcracker Ballet is based on the story “The Nutcracker and the
King of Mice” written by E.T.A. Hoffman. Although what is seen on the
stage today is different in detail from the original story, the basic plot
remains the same; the story of a young German girl who dreams of a
Nutcracker Prince and a fierce battle against a Mouse King.
When Marius Petipa had the idea to choreograph the story into a ballet, it was actually based on a revision by Alexander Dumas, a well known French author. 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 housewith the most beautiful tree imaginable. The Stahlbaums are hosting their annual Christmas party, welcoming the arrival of their family and friends. The children, Clara and Fritz, are dancing and playing as they welcome their friends too.
The party grows festive with music and dance godfather Drosselmeyer arrives. He is a skilled clock and toy maker and always full of surprises. Drosselmeyer draws everyone’s attention as he presents two life-size dolls. They are the delight of the party, each taking a turn to dance.
The children begin to open gifts when Drosselmeyer presents his to
Clara and Fritz. Although his gift to Fritz is quite nice, he gives Clara a beautiful Nutcracker that becomes the hit of the party. Fritz becomes jealous and, having a bit more spunk than a boy should have, grabs the nutcracker from Clara and promptly breaks it. Clara is heartbroken looking on as Drosselmeyer quickly repairs the Nutcracker with a handkerchief he magically draws from the air.
As the evening grows late, the guests depart and the Stahlbaum family retires for the evening. Clara, worried about her beloved Nutcracker, sneaks back to the tree to check on him, falling asleep with him in her arms.
The Fight Scene
As the clock strikes midnight strange things begin to happen. Clara
begins shrinking as her beautiful Christmas tree grows high above her. The toys around the tree come to life while the room fills with an army of mice, led by the fierce Mouse King. As the Nutcracker awakens, he leads his army of toy soldiers into battle with the mice. The Mouse King corners the Nutcracker and battles him one-on-one. The Nutcracker seems to be no match for the Mouse King. The Nutcracker and his army can go on no longer and are captured by the mice and their King. Clara makes a final daring charge throwing her slipper at the Mouse King, hitting him square on the head. The Mouse King drops to the floor and the mice run away, carrying off their leader’s lifeless body.
The Land of Snow
The Nutcracker turns into a Prince and takes Clara on a journey to the Land of Snow, an enchanted forest wonderland where they are welcomed by dancing snowflakes.
The Land of Sweets
The Prince escorts Clara to the Land of Sweets where they are greeted by the Sugar Plum Fairy. The Prince tells her about their daring battle with the army of mice and she rewards them with a celebration of dances.
· The Spanish Hot Cocoa
· The Arabian Coffee
· The Russian Candy Canes
· The Chinese Tea
· The Mirliton Bon Bons
· Mother Ginger and her children, the court jesters
· The Waltz of the Flowers
As a finale, the Sugar Plum Fairy dances a sweet and beautiful solo, lulling Clara back into a world of sleep.
The Dream Ends
Clara awakens from her dream and finds herself by her Christmas tree withher beloved Nutcracker.
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Reading Comprehension Questions
for your child
1. Can you name three remarkable things that happen in the Stahlbaum living room at midnight?
2. How does Clara save the Nutcracker Prince?
3. How does the Nutcracker get broken?
4. Who gives Clara the Nutcracker?
5. Who wrote the story of The Nutcracker?
6. Where does the Prince take Clara first?
7. Where does Act I take place?
8. Where does Act II take place?
