Nutcracker Story
Act I, Party Scene
In a drawing room at about the turn-of-the-century, the mayor and his wife are giving a Christmas party. One of the guests, Herr Drosselmeyer, brings two mechanical dolls as presents for the children. To Clara, the host's daughter, he gives the special gift, a Nutcracker. Fritz, her brother, is jealous of the gift, and after a quarrel snatches the Nutcracker from Clara and hurls it to the floor. Herr Drosselmeyer fixes the toy and all ends well. In a final ceremonial dance the party is brought to its conclusion with the guests leaving and the children going to bed.Dream Scene
Clara, however, cannot sleep. She is concerned about her Nutcracker and returns at midnight to be with her toy. In one of those metamorphoses common to fairy tails, Clara dreams of dolls dancing and the familar room becomes a battlefield as toy soldiers come to life, and under the commands of the Nutcracker wage war against an invading horde of mice led by the King Rat. Clara comes to the Nutcracker's aid when things are going badly for him and risks her life to distract the King Rat with her slipper. The Nutcrakcer recovers ain time and slays the King Rat, thereby saving Clara from harm. This act of devotion causes the ferocious Nutcracker to change into a handsome prince. He invites Clara to travel with him to his homeland and they begin their journey.Snow Scene
Clara and the Nutcracker Prince journey through the land of Snow on their way to the Kingdom of the Sweets. Here they see the gently swirling Snowflakes dancing around the beautiful Snow Queen and King.Act II
Angels lead Clara and the Nutcracker Prince into the Kingdom of the Sweets. The Nutcracker Prince greets his sovereign and introduces Clara. He retells the story of their journey and Clara's bravery in the battle of the soldiers and mice. The Sugar Plum Fairy welcomes Clara and thanks her for safe return of her Nutcracker Prince. the inhabitants of the Kingdom of the Sweets honor Clara with a festival of dance. After the faiety of the dances Clara is very sleepy and falls asleep at the height of the celebration to awaken in her own safe living room.[ Back to top ]
