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The Nutcracker | Ballet story, characters, and performances

The Nutcracker Ballet

THE NUTCRACKER

  • Original Choreography: Marius Petipa & Lev Ivanov
  • Musical Score: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
  • Based on: E.T.A. Hoffman’s “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King”

Plot & Roles

*Classical ballets have evolved over time, lending themselves to different interpretations as choreographers and directors create works that reflect their visions of the story. The following is intended to provide general information; for details on different versions, filter this ballet performance search to learn more.

  • PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS IN THE NUTCRACKER (in alphabetical order)

Clara Daughter to Mr. & Mrs. Stahlbaum

Drosselmeyer Godfather to Clara

Fritz Brother to Clara

The Mouse King Antagonist of The Nutcracker Prince

The Nutcracker Prince Antagonist of The Mouse King

The Sugarplum Fairy Ruler of the Land of the Sweets

  • SYNOPSIS

• Act I, Scene 1: The Stahlbaum Home
• Act I, Scene 2: The Pine Forest
• Act II, Scene 1: The Land of the Sweets
• Epilogue
• Act I, Scene 1: The Stahlbaum Home
On Christmas Eve, the Stahlbaums are celebrating with friends and family when the curious Drosselmeyer arrives to their home. Bringing gifts for the all the children, he has a very special one for his Goddaughter Clara; it is a wooden Nutcracker doll with which the young girl immediately falls in love with. When the party finishes, Clara sneaks back to the living room in order to be reunited with her beloved toy. She falls into a deep slumber and dreams of how her Nutcracker leads a battle of victory over the Mouse King and his army of mice. He then transitions into a Prince and takes her on a journey.
• Act I, Scene 2: The Pine Forest
As they travel through the Pine Forest, Clara and her Prince are surrounded by the beauty of the snowflakes that fall all around them and ultimately reach their destination – The Land of the Sweets.
• Act II, Scene 1: The Land of the Sweets
Upon arrival, Clara and the Prince are greeted by the Sugarplum Fairy. The guests are presented with delightful treasures from all around the world – Spanish chocolates, Arabian coffee, Chinese Tea, Russian Candy Canes – and are entertained by French Mirlitons and Mother Ginger with her Polichinelles. The Dewdrop Fairy leads the flowers in a beautiful waltz, and the Sugarplum Fairy and her Cavalier close out the performance.
• Epilogue
Many versions of The Nutcracker include some sort of epilogue during which Clara wakes from her dream.

★ INTERESTING FACT

Although THE NUTCRACKER made its debut in 1892 (in St. Petersburg, Russia), the first production in the United States – choreographed by William Christensen – was performed by San Francisco Ballet in 1944. It is a staple of ballet companies around the world.

The Nutcracker Music Playlist

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