The Nutcracker Ballet Story
as presented by
Notara Dance Theatre, Inc.
as presented by
Notara Dance Theatre, Inc.
ACT I
It is Christmas season and the Stahlbaums are giving a party. At last, the guests arrive; among them young cousins and friends of Clara, Fritz, and Gretchen. They enter the Stahlbaum home in joyful anticipation of the festivities of youth and dance.
Among the guests is Herr Drosselmeyer, the Stahlbaum children's grandfather Grandfather has brought a surprise for the Stahlbaum's party - a dancing doll who proceeds to dance for everyone when grandfather winds her up. She bows and pirouettes and dances until her springs run down. And then, Herr Drosselmeyre produces his "special" gift to Clara.
It is a Nutcracker made in the shape of a toy soldier. He is quite handsome in his uniform. Clara likes the Nutcracker better than anything else. Fritz, in a fit of bad temper, snatches the Nutcraker, breaking it. Clara is brokenhearted, but Herr Drosselmeyer comes to the rescue making a bandage for it.
After the chatting, dancing, and merriment, the children and guests decide it is time to travel home. Mr. and Mrs. Stahlbaum send their children off to bed. But Clara, who has left her Nutcracker under the tree, wants to be sure he is alright. So she comes to hold him...and falls asleep on the sofa. Mother comes looking for her and finds her sound asleep with the Nutcracker tucked safely in her arms. She covers her daughter and retires herself.
As the clock strikes, strange things begin to happen. Clara is dreaming...and her dream finds huge mice tiptoeing through the living room, and troupes of soldiers, and the Nutcracker comes to life. The mice are trying to capture Clara, but the brave soldiers and the Nutcracker fight valiantly to save her. The Nutcracker wounds the King Mouse and all the mice retreat to safety.
The Nutcracker disappears only to reappear as a charming prince with Clara as his princess. They dance, hosted by a band of the most beautiful angels. They are led into a land of snow as they journey on...where they find snowflakes dancing for happiness.
ACT II
Traveling on, they find themselves in the Land of Sweets where they are met by the Cavalier and his Sugar Plum Fairy. All the subjects of this Kingdom of Sweets dance and are made of the most delicious candies. The Sugar Plum Fairy announces their entrances as she seats the Nutcracker and Clara in a position of honor to host the dancing and festivities. The Kingdom of Sweets climaxes with the Grand Finale led by the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier.
But alas, the night is spent...and so the Sugar Plum Fairy places all in their respective positions, surveys her kingdom, and closes the book of dreams.
It is Christmas season and the Stahlbaums are giving a party. At last, the guests arrive; among them young cousins and friends of Clara, Fritz, and Gretchen. They enter the Stahlbaum home in joyful anticipation of the festivities of youth and dance.
Among the guests is Herr Drosselmeyer, the Stahlbaum children's grandfather Grandfather has brought a surprise for the Stahlbaum's party - a dancing doll who proceeds to dance for everyone when grandfather winds her up. She bows and pirouettes and dances until her springs run down. And then, Herr Drosselmeyre produces his "special" gift to Clara.
It is a Nutcracker made in the shape of a toy soldier. He is quite handsome in his uniform. Clara likes the Nutcracker better than anything else. Fritz, in a fit of bad temper, snatches the Nutcraker, breaking it. Clara is brokenhearted, but Herr Drosselmeyer comes to the rescue making a bandage for it.
After the chatting, dancing, and merriment, the children and guests decide it is time to travel home. Mr. and Mrs. Stahlbaum send their children off to bed. But Clara, who has left her Nutcracker under the tree, wants to be sure he is alright. So she comes to hold him...and falls asleep on the sofa. Mother comes looking for her and finds her sound asleep with the Nutcracker tucked safely in her arms. She covers her daughter and retires herself.
As the clock strikes, strange things begin to happen. Clara is dreaming...and her dream finds huge mice tiptoeing through the living room, and troupes of soldiers, and the Nutcracker comes to life. The mice are trying to capture Clara, but the brave soldiers and the Nutcracker fight valiantly to save her. The Nutcracker wounds the King Mouse and all the mice retreat to safety.
The Nutcracker disappears only to reappear as a charming prince with Clara as his princess. They dance, hosted by a band of the most beautiful angels. They are led into a land of snow as they journey on...where they find snowflakes dancing for happiness.
ACT II
Traveling on, they find themselves in the Land of Sweets where they are met by the Cavalier and his Sugar Plum Fairy. All the subjects of this Kingdom of Sweets dance and are made of the most delicious candies. The Sugar Plum Fairy announces their entrances as she seats the Nutcracker and Clara in a position of honor to host the dancing and festivities. The Kingdom of Sweets climaxes with the Grand Finale led by the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier.
But alas, the night is spent...and so the Sugar Plum Fairy places all in their respective positions, surveys her kingdom, and closes the book of dreams.