02-131 Nutcracker Theater   The Nutcracker Ballet is loosely based on a story, "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King," written by E.T.A. Hoffman.  In 1891, legendary Russian choreographer Marius Petipa commissioned Tchaikovsky to write music for his ballet version of the story.  "The Nutcracker" debuted on December 17, 1892 in the Mariinsky Theater and was not performed outside of Russia until 1934 at Sadier's Wells Theater in England.

02-132 Herr Drosselmeyer, Puppeteer   Clara's godfather, Herr Drosselmeyer, arrives at the family's annual Christmas party.  Mysterious and full of surprises, Drosselmeyer presents life-like dancing dolls to the delight of the children and adults alike.  Then Drosselmeyer gives Clara a gift of a Nutcracker dressed as a soldier.  Definately the most popular gift at the party, Clara's brother Fritz becomes jealous and breaks the Nutcracker.

02-133 Clara's Doll Shop   After the fabulous Christmas Eve party, Clara's family goes to bed.  But Clara, worried about her broken Nutcracker, sneaks back to the Christmas tree to check on him.  As she slowly goes to sleep with the bandaged Nutcracker cradled in her arms, the room comes to life and a strange and wonderful adventure unfolds.

02-331 Land of Snow Chalet   During Clara's dream, the Nutcracker turns into a handsom prince.  He takes Clara on an enchanted journey to a Land of Snow, where they are entertained by dancing snowflakes and angels.

02-332 Nutcracker Shoppe   According to German folklore, nutcrackers were given as keepsakes to bring good luck to a family and protect their home.  They were whimsical conversation pieces and very functional in social settings as guests lingered over the desert course which included pecans and hazelnuts.  The legend of the nutcracker lives on as a holiday tradition in Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker Suite" performed as a ballet throughout the world.

02-333 Sugar Plum Pastries   During Clara's dream, she and her prince leave the Land of Snowflakes and enter the Land of Sweets, where the Sugar Plum Fairy greets them.  A celebration of dancing unfolds from the Spanish, Arabian and Chineese dances to the Waltz of the Flowers.

02-531 Mouse King Castle, Nutcracker Ballet Collection.   Clara's dream begins as the tree grows and the clock chimes.  Mice fill the room lead by a mighty Mouse King.  The Nutcracker comes to life and gathers his soldiers to fight.  The Mouse King captures Clara and the Nutcracker, and just when the battle seems most bleak, Clara delivers a final blow to the Mouse King.  He falls and all the mice retreat, mourning the loss of their leader.

02-532 Pas de Deux Ballet Shop   A pas de deux, or dance for two, is the final scene of Clara's dream.  This finale is danced by the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier, whose beautiful dance expresses their gracious hospitality to Clara and her prince.

02-533 Orchestra Hall   Peter Tchaikovsky composed the music of the Nutcracker Ballet from February 1891 to March 1892.  It was first performed in St. Petersburg, Russia, Marlinsky Theater in December 1892, conducted by Riccardo Drigo.  Tchaikovsky's suite of eight numbers from the ballet is a popular collection of music internationally.

02-831 Waltz of the Flowershop   "Waltz of the Flowers" may be the most recognized piece of music from the Nutcracker Ballet.  Every little girl who sees the ballet for the first time wants to be a flower.

02-832 Mother Ginger's Tea Shop   An entertaining highlight of Clara's visit to the Land of Sweets is the appearance of Mother Ginger and her Peppermint Children who live under her skirt.

02-833 Nutcraker Billboard   A shortened version of the original Nutcracker Ballet debuted in the United States in 1940.  Not until 1954 did the full-length ballet become the Nutcracker that most American audiences know today.  A Christmas tradition, "The Nutcracker Ballet" is performed in many communities across the U.S. every December.