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Home Famous Ballets

The Nutcracker

Learn about the characters, plot, music, interesting facts, and upcoming performances of The Nutcracker, one of the most famous classical ballets.

  • What are the characters in The Nutcracker?
  • What is the story of The Nutcracker?
  • What is the music for The Nutcracker?
  • Where is The Nutcracker performed?
  • Related Stories
  • Bonus Material
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  • Original Choreography: Marius Petipa & Lev Ivanov
  • Musical Score: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
  • Based on: E.T.A. Hoffman's "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King"

The Nutcracker Plot & Roles

*Classical ballets have evolved over time, lending themselves to different interpretations as choreographers and directors create works that reflect their visions of the story. The following is intended to provide general information; for details on different versions, click on each of the Nutcracker performances below.

  • PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS IN THE NUTCRACKER (in alphabetical order)

 
Clara: Daughter to Mr. & Mrs. Stahlbaum


 
Drosselmeyer: Godfather to Clara


 
Fritz: Brother to Clara


 
The Mouse King: Antagonist of The Nutcracker Prince


 
The Nutcracker Prince: Antagonist of The Mouse King


 
The Sugarplum Fairy: Ruler of the Land of the Sweets


  • THE NUTCRACKER SYNOPSIS
⊙ ACT I, SCENE 1: THE STAHLBAUM HOME

On Christmas Eve, the Stahlbaums are celebrating with friends and family when the curious Drosselmeyer arrives to their home. Bringing gifts for the all the children, he has a very special one for his Goddaughter Clara; it is a wooden Nutcracker doll with which the young girl immediately falls in love with. When the party finishes, Clara sneaks back to the living room in order to be reunited with her beloved toy. She falls into a deep slumber and dreams of how her Nutcracker leads a battle of victory over the Mouse King and his army of mice. He then transitions into a Prince and takes her on a journey.

⊙ ACT I, SCENE 2: THE PINE FOREST

As they travel through the Pine Forest, Clara and her Prince are surrounded by the beauty of the snowflakes that fall all around them and ultimately reach their destination – The Land of the Sweets.

⊙ ACT II: THE LAND OF THE SWEETS

Upon arrival, Clara and the Prince are greeted by the Sugarplum Fairy. The guests are presented with delightful treasures from all around the world – Spanish chocolates, Arabian coffee, Chinese Tea, Russian Candy Canes – and are entertained by French Mirlitons and Mother Ginger with her Polichinelles. The Dewdrop Fairy leads the flowers in a beautiful waltz, and the Sugarplum Fairy and her Cavalier close out the performance.

⊙ EPILOGUE

Many versions of The Nutcracker include some sort of epilogue during which Clara wakes from her dream.

★ INTERESTING FACT ★
Although THE NUTCRACKER made its debut in 1892 (in St. Petersburg, Russia), the first production in the United States – choreographed by William Christensen – was performed by San Francisco Ballet in 1944. It is a staple of ballet companies around the world.
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10 FAMOUS CLASSICAL BALLETS

Cinderella
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Don Quixote
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Giselle
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La Bayadère
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La Sylpide
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La Sylphide

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Romeo and Juliet
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Swan Lake
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Swan Lake

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The Nutcracker
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The Nutcracker

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The Sleeping Beauty
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The Sleeping Beauty

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The Nutcracker Music Playlist

Upcoming The Nutcracker Performances

14 June
Hamburg State Opera
Hamburg Ballet The Nutcracker

Hamburg Ballet: The Nutcracker

Große Theaterstraße 25, 20354 Hamburg, Germany

View Details
17 November - 09 December
Birmingham Hippodrome
Birmingham Royal Ballet Nutcracker 2023

Birmingham Royal Ballet: The Nutcracker

Hurst St, Southside, Birmingham B5 4TB, United Kingdom

View Details
29 November - 10 December
Leeds Grand Theatre
Northern Ballet The Nutcracker

Northern Ballet: The Nutcracker

46 New Briggate, Leeds LS1 6NU, United Kingdom

View Details
01 - 20 December
Queensland Performing Arts Centre
Queensland Ballet The Nutcracker 2023

Queensland Ballet: The Nutcracker

Cnr Grey and, Melbourne St, South Brisbane QLD 4101, Australia

View Details
01 - 30 December
Royal Swedish Opera
Royal Swedish Ballet The Nutcracker 2023

Royal Swedish Ballet: The Nutcracker

Gustav Adolfs torg 2, 111 52 Stockholm, Sweden

View Details
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Bonus Material

  • Nutcracker Quiz
  • Nutcracker Gifts and Ornaments
Famous Ballets
  • Cinderella
  • Coppélia
  • Don Quixote
  • Giselle
  • La Bayadère
  • La Sylphide
  • Romeo and Juliet
  • Swan Lake
  • The Nutcracker
  • The Sleeping Beauty
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