The Nutcracker

Wednesday, December 4th, 2024 / 7:00 pm

Program

The story of the NUTCRACKER, based on a tale by E.T.A Hoffman, begins with a gala Christmas Eve party at the home of Judge Silberhaus. Uncle Drosselmeyer, the children's favorite relative, arrives and presents Clara, the heroine of the story, with an amazing Nutcracker in the shape of a handsome soldier. To her brother, Franz, he gives a toy sword.

That night, Clara is too excited to sleep. On the stroke of midnight, she creeps downstairs to retrieve the Nutcracker and witnesses a fierce battle between her brother's toy soldiers and hundreds of mice, led by a fierce Mouse King! Clara saves the Nutcracker by throwing her slipper smack at the wicked mouse! Lo and behold, her Nutcracker becomes a handsome Prince.

To show her gratitude, the Nutcracker Prince whisks Clara away to many countries. First they travel through the exquisite Land of Snow where they are greeted by the regal Snow Queen and her Snowflake Fairies. Then they travel to the Land of Sweets, where the beautiful Sugar Plum Fairy puts on a glittering spectacle for them. Clara finds wings on her feet as she dances the Final Waltz with her Nutcracker Prince.

As the Sugar Plum Fairy and her court wave goodbye, Clara's Uncle Drosselmeyer mysteriously appears with the magical Nutcracker. Alas, it was all a dream. But was it?