The Party Scene
It is Christmas Eve at the Stahlbaum house, a large and grand house with the most beautiful tree imaginable. The Stahlbaums are hosting their annual Christmas party, welcoming the arrival of their family and friends. The children, including their daughter, Clara, are dancing and playing as they welcome their friends. The party grows festive with music and dancing when godfather Drosselmeyer arrives. He is a skilled toy maker and always full of surprises. Drosselmeyer draws everyone's attention as he presents a life-size ballerina and jester doll. Next a live bear with a trainer. They are the delight of the party, each taking a turn to dance. Drosselmeyer has also brought his handsome nephew with him and he presents a gift to Clara, a beautiful Nutcracker which becomes the hit of the party. Clara’s little brother becomes jealous and grabs the Nutcracker from Clara, promptly breaking it. Clara is heartbroken. Drosselmeyer quickly repairs the Nutcracker with a handkerchief. As the evening grows late, the guests depart. Clara and Drosselmeyer’s nephew bid a sweet adieu and the Stahlbaum family retires for the evening. Clara, worried about her beloved Nutcracker, sneaks back to the tree to check on him. She falls asleep with him in her arms.
The Fight Scene
As the clock strikes midnight, strange things begin to happen. The room fills with an army of mice, led by the fierce Mouse King. Drosselmeyer appears and uses his magic to make Clara’s beautiful Christmas tree to grow high above her. The Nutcracker is transformed into the size of a grown man and he leads his platoon of toy soldiers into battle with the mice. The Mouse King corners the Nutcracker and battles him one-on-one. The Nutcracker seems to be no match for the Mouse King. The Nutcracker and his army cannot go on any longer and are losing their battle with the mice and their King. Clara makes a final daring charge throwing her slipper at the Mouse King, hitting him. With the Mouse King distracted, the Nutcracker is able to slay him and he drops to the floor. The mice run away, carrying off their leader's lifeless body. The Nutcracker turns into a Prince, who bears a striking resemblance to Drosselmeyer’s nephew. He takes Clara on a journey through the Land of Snow, an enchanted forest wonderland where they are welcomed by dancing snowflakes.
The Land of Sweets
The Prince escorts Clara to the Land of Sweets, where they are greeted by the Sugar Plum Fairy. The Prince tells her about their daring battle with the army of mice and she rewards them with a celebration of dances and candies from all over the world. First is the fiery Spanish Chocolates, then the sultry Arabian Coffee princesses attended to by servants. The Marzipan Shepherdesses dance with a deceitful Wolf. The delightful Chinese Tea are followed by the bouncing Bon Bons. Next are the high-stepping Russian Trepak dancers followed by the graceful Waltz of the Flowers. As a finale, the Sugar Plum Fairy herself dances a solo. The dream ends, or does it?Clara awakens from her dream and finds herself by her Christmas tree with her beloved Nutcracker.
