The Nutcracker

At the Stahlbaum home, a Christmas Party is in full swing.  Clara receives a very special nutcracker as a Christmas gift from Godfather Drosselmeyer at the party.  Her brother Fritz, who is jealous of Clara’s gift, breaks the nutcracker and Godfather Drosselmeyer fixes it for her with a magical scarf he pulls from the air and returns the amazing nutcracker to Clara. 

Later, after the party guests have left and the children are tucked into bed, Clara sneaks downstairs to check on her beloved nutcracker and falls asleep under the tree. Clara is transported into Christmas fantasy where her nutcracker has grown to the size of a human and …

The Nutcracker ballet is based on the original story by E.T.A. Hoffman entitled The Nutcracker and the King of Mice.  Russian composer Pyotr Il’yich Tchaikovsky wrote the ballet.  By examining a variety of sources, you will become more aware of the story of The Nutcracker and the King of Mice, the ballet The Nutcracker, and the well-known music of the ballet