The Nutcracker
Act I
It’s a cozy Christmas Eve at the Stahlbaum’s house. Their house is decorated
with Christmas ornaments, wreaths, stockings, mistletoe and in the center of it
all, a majestic Christmas tree. As the Stahlbaum’s prepare for their annual
Christmas party, their children, Fritz and Clara, wait anxiously for their family
and friends to arrive. When the guests finally appear, the party picks up with
dancing and celebration. A mysterious guest arrives dressed in dark clothing,
nearly frightening Fritz, but not Clara. Clara knows he is Godfather Drosselmeyer,
the toymaker. His surprise arrival is warmly accepted and all the children dance
and carry on with laughter. Drosselmeyer then presents Clara the best gift of all,
the Nutcracker. Fritz grows jealous, snatches the Nutcracker from Clara, they fight
over it, and it isn't long until the Nutcracker breaks. Clara is upset, but Drosselmeyer
fixes it with a handkerchief.
The party grows late and the children become sleepy. Everyone generously
thanks the Stahlbaum’s before they leave. As Clara’s family retires to bed, she
checks on her Nutcracker one last time and ends up falling asleep under the
Christmas tree with the Nutcracker in her arms.
At the stroke of midnight Clara wakes up to a frightening scene. The house,
the tree and the toys seem to be getting larger. Is she shrinking? Out of
nowhere large mice lead by the Mouse King, begin to circle the room while
the toys and Christmas tree come to life. Clara’s Nutcracker groups the soldier
toys into battle formation and fights the mouse army. The Mouse King traps
the Nutcracker in the corner, but the Nutcracker can’t overcome the Mouse King’s
strength. Clara makes a desperate move to save her Nutcracker from defeat and
throws her slipper at the Mouse King. She hits him directly in the head! The
Nutcracker is able to overcome the stunned Mouse King and claims victory.
The mice army quickly carries away their King. 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 the Snow King and Queen and their dancing snowflakes.
It’s a cozy Christmas Eve at the Stahlbaum’s house. Their house is decorated
with Christmas ornaments, wreaths, stockings, mistletoe and in the center of it
all, a majestic Christmas tree. As the Stahlbaum’s prepare for their annual
Christmas party, their children, Fritz and Clara, wait anxiously for their family
and friends to arrive. When the guests finally appear, the party picks up with
dancing and celebration. A mysterious guest arrives dressed in dark clothing,
nearly frightening Fritz, but not Clara. Clara knows he is Godfather Drosselmeyer,
the toymaker. His surprise arrival is warmly accepted and all the children dance
and carry on with laughter. Drosselmeyer then presents Clara the best gift of all,
the Nutcracker. Fritz grows jealous, snatches the Nutcracker from Clara, they fight
over it, and it isn't long until the Nutcracker breaks. Clara is upset, but Drosselmeyer
fixes it with a handkerchief.
The party grows late and the children become sleepy. Everyone generously
thanks the Stahlbaum’s before they leave. As Clara’s family retires to bed, she
checks on her Nutcracker one last time and ends up falling asleep under the
Christmas tree with the Nutcracker in her arms.
At the stroke of midnight Clara wakes up to a frightening scene. The house,
the tree and the toys seem to be getting larger. Is she shrinking? Out of
nowhere large mice lead by the Mouse King, begin to circle the room while
the toys and Christmas tree come to life. Clara’s Nutcracker groups the soldier
toys into battle formation and fights the mouse army. The Mouse King traps
the Nutcracker in the corner, but the Nutcracker can’t overcome the Mouse King’s
strength. Clara makes a desperate move to save her Nutcracker from defeat and
throws her slipper at the Mouse King. She hits him directly in the head! The
Nutcracker is able to overcome the stunned Mouse King and claims victory.
The mice army quickly carries away their King. 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 the Snow King and Queen and their dancing snowflakes.
