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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.

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  • Plot & Roles
  • Playlist
  • Performances
  • Related Stories
  • Bonus Material
  • Original Choreography: Marius Petipa & Lev Ivanov
  • Musical Score: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
  • Based on: E.T.A. Hoffman's "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King"

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


  • SYNOPSIS
• Act I, Scene 1: The Stahlbaum Home
• Act I, Scene 2: The Pine Forest
• Act II, Scene 1: The Land of the Sweets
• Epilogue
• 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, Scene 1: 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.

The Nutcracker Music Playlist

Upcoming Performances

01 - 31 December
Festival Theatre
The Scottish Ballet - The Nutcracker 2020

Scottish Ballet: The Nutcracker

13-29 Nicolson St, Edinburgh EH8 9FT, United Kingdom

View Details
01 - 31 December
Festival Theatre
The Scottish Ballet - The Nutcracker 2020

Scottish Ballet: The Nutcracker

13-29 Nicolson St, Edinburgh EH8 9FT, United Kingdom

View Details
09 - 11 December
Esplanade Theatre Studio
Singapore Dance Theatre The Nutcracker 2021

Singapore Dance Theatre: The Nutcracker

1 Esplanade Dr, Singapore 038981

View Details
16 - 23 December
Queensland Performing Arts Centre
Queensland Ballet - The Nutcracker 2021

Queensland Ballet: The Nutcracker

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

View Details
16 - 23 December
Queensland Performing Arts Centre
Queensland Ballet - The Nutcracker 2021

Queensland Ballet: The Nutcracker

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

View Details
05 - 15 January
Theatre Royal Glasgow
The Scottish Ballet - The Nutcracker 2020

Scottish Ballet: The Nutcracker

282 Hope St, Glasgow G2 3QA, United Kingdom

View Details
19 - 22 January
His Majesty's Theatre
The Scottish Ballet - The Nutcracker 2020

Scottish Ballet: The Nutcracker

Rosemount Viaduct, Aberdeen AB25 1GL, United Kingdom

View Details
19 - 22 January
His Majesty's Theatre
The Scottish Ballet - The Nutcracker 2020

Scottish Ballet: The Nutcracker

Rosemount Viaduct, Aberdeen AB25 1GL, United Kingdom

View Details
26 - 29 January
Eden Court
The Scottish Ballet - The Nutcracker 2020

Scottish Ballet: The Nutcracker

Bishops Rd, Inverness IV3 5SA, United Kingdom

View Details
26 - 29 January
Eden Court
The Scottish Ballet - The Nutcracker 2020

Scottish Ballet: The Nutcracker

Bishops Rd, Inverness IV3 5SA, United Kingdom

View Details
02 - 05 February
Theatre Royal Newcastle
The Scottish Ballet - The Nutcracker 2020

Scottish Ballet: The Nutcracker

100 Grey St, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 6BR, United Kingdom

View Details
02 - 05 February
Theatre Royal Newcastle
The Scottish Ballet - The Nutcracker 2020

Scottish Ballet: The Nutcracker

100 Grey St, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 6BR, United Kingdom

View Details
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Bonus Material

  • Nutcracker Quiz
  • Nutcracker Online Performances
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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