Choreography: Todd Bolender
Music: Peter I. Tchaikovsky

Relatives and friends gather in the parlor for a Christmas party given by Clara’s parents, Dr. and Frau Silberhaus. Clara’s Godfather, Herr Drosselmeyer, is on his way to the party with wonderful toys for Clara and her brother, Fritz.

Drosselmeyer, a mysterious old inventor, and his nephew arrive with many gifts, including life-sized dancing dolls. Clara is so thrilled with the dancing dolls that she wants one for herself, but her mother tells her that magic toys belong to children everywhere. Drosselmeyer, seeing her disappointment, produces another gift - a beautiful wooden Nutcracker carved like a cavalier with a white beard and a mouth wide enough to crack nuts.

Clara loves the Nutcracker, but Fritz is jealous of his sister’s gift. He grabs the Nutcracker from Clara and throws it to the floor, breaking it. Drosselmeyer and his nephew step in to mend the Nutcracker, while Fritz is scolded for his bad behavior.

It is getting late, and everyone joins hands for the Grandfather’s Dance. Then one by one, the guests leave. As the lights go out, Clara bids goodnight to her wonderful Godfather and his charming nephew.

The parlor is dark and quiet as Clara slips downstairs to see if her Nutcracker is safe. Suddenly, she sees giant mice running across the floor and the Christmas tree grows to fill the entire room. The mice, led by the Mouse King, prepare to attack the Nutcracker and toy soldiers. A terrible battle rages with the cannon booming and rifles cracking. The toy soldiers are carried off by the mice while the Nutcracker and the Mouse King duel. Clara comes to the rescue! She throws her tiny slipper at the Mouse King to distract him as the Nutcracker attacks. The Mouse King falls to the floor and his cowardly mice scamper away.

The Nutcracker looks for Clara, who has fallen faint onto the giant, toy bed. Magically the bed begins to move through the starry night. Suddenly, Drosselmeyer appears from the darkness and waves his magic cape and, in a flash, the Nutcracker is turned into a handsome prince. He bows to Clara, and places the Mouse King’s crown upon her head and takes her to the Land of Sweets.

On their journey, Clara and the Prince find themselves in the middle of a snowy forest, ruled by the King and Queen of Snow. Clara and the Prince are given permission to pass through the forest and the King and Queen dance as snowflakes whirl around them.

As they approach the Land of Sweets, Clara and the Prince are greeted by Angels, followed by the dazzling Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier. The Prince describes the battle and how Clara helped him defeat the Mouse King. The Sugar Plum Fairy congratulates Clara on her bravery and as a reward, leads them to the royal throne to watch a festival in their honor.

The drinks, candies and toys that children love come to life and dance for Clara and the Prince: Spanish chocolate, Arabian coffee, Chinese tea, Russian dolls with their candy whips, the Reed Pipes, funny Mother Ginger with her bonbon children and the candy flowers of every color. Finally, the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier perform the most beautiful dance of all.

When the dancing is done, Clara bids all a reluctant farewell and leaves the magical kingdom with The Nutcracker Prince. It has been a wonderful dream.

PHOTO CREDITS
Photo 1 - Dancer Paris Wilcox in Todd Bolender's The Nutcracker.
Photo 3 - Dancer Chelsea Wilcox in Todd Bolender's The Nutcracker.
Photography by Steve Wilson