A Holiday Tradition: The Nutcracker Study Guide
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A Holiday Tradition: The Nutcracker Study Guide
The Nutcracker Ballet has been a festive holiday tradition for
many years. Numerous ballet companies around the world stage
the famous ballet every year during the month of December.
Both children and adults look forward to attending a
magical performance of The Nutcracker each holiday
season.
Many local ballet communities take part in the
tradition by staging their own productions of
The Nutcracker. Aspiring ballerinas delight
in the opportunity to dance on stage to
the music of The Nutcracker Suite. Many
young girls dream of one day dancing one of
the leading roles.
All about the Nutcracker Ballet
Even though the first performance of The Nutcracker took
place over 100 years ago, the tradition of the popular holiday
ballet continues to grow. Dancers who remember performing in
Nutcracker performances in the past are now sharing the magic,
teaching those same roles to eager young dancers. Parents who saw
their first Nutcracker as children are now introducing their own children to
the enchanting holiday ballet.
The Nutcracker Story:
Over the years, the fundamental spirit of The Nutcracker has remained the same. The Nutcracker is based on the
story "The Nutcracker and the King of Mice," written by E.T.A. Hoffman. Although the stage performance
differs from the original story, the basic plot remains the same. The Nutcracker tells the story of a young girl
who dreams of a Nutcracker Prince and a battle against a Mouse King.
Characters of the Nutcracker:
The cast of The Nutcracker is still changing, as individual ballet companies attempt to make their performances
unique by adding their own special touches. Choreographers often tweak the original roles, or omit certain
characters altogether, depending on their needs. Therefore, it is safe to say that no two Nutcrackers are exactly
the same.
The Nutcracker Music:
The music of The Nutcracker Ballet was composed by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky in 1892. The music has been
featured in many movies and television programs. It is the unforgettable sound of the celesta, a unique
instrument that causes the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy music to play again and again remain in our heads.
Nutcracker Performances:
The Nutcracker is celebrated nationwide during the holiday season. Most ballet companies perform their own
version of The Nutcracker sometime after Thanksgiving and during the month of December. Whether it is a
The Nutcracker Study Guide Page 1tradition in your family or your very first performance, your experience of the enchanting holiday classic will
warm your holiday spirit.
History and Traditions of the Nutcracker:
The Nutcracker ballet was first performed on December 5, 1892 in St. Petersburg, Russia. The original
performance was a complete failure, unfavorably reviewed by both critics and audiences. Despite its
beginnings, however, the ballet has become the most popular ballet performed in the United States. It has
become a major part of the annual holiday tradition.
Nutcracker Synopsis
Act I
It’s a cozy Christmas Eve at the Stahlbaum’s house. Their house is decorated with Christmas ornaments,
wreaths, and in the center of it all, a majestic Christmas tree. As the Stahlbaum’s prepare for their annual
Christmas party, their children, Fritz and Clara, wait anxiously for their family and friends to arrive. When the
guests finally appear, the party picks up with dancing and celebration. A mysterious guest arrives dressed in
dark clothing, nearly frightening Fritz, but not Clara. Clara knows he is Godfather Drosselmeyer, the toymaker.
His surprise arrival is warmly accepted and all the children dance and carry on with laughter. The celebration is
interrupted again when Drosselmeyer reveals to the children that he has brought them gifts. The girls receive
beautiful china dolls and the boys receive bugles. Fritz is given a beautiful drum, but Clara is given the best gift
of all, the Nutcracker. Fritz grows jealous, snatches the Nutcracker from Clara and plays a game of tug a war. It
isn't long until the Nutcracker breaks. Clara is upset, but Drosselmeyer fixes it with a handkerchief.
Drosselmeyer’s nephew offers Clara a small make-shift bed under the Christmas tree for her injured Nutcracker.
The party grows late and the children become sleepy. Everyone generously thanks the Stahlbaum’s before they
leave. As Clara’s family retires to bed, she checks on her Nutcracker one last time and is sent off to bed.
At the stroke of midnight Clara wakes up to a frightening scene and enters the room to check on her Nutcracker.
The house, the tree and the toys seem to be getting larger. Is she shrinking? Out of nowhere large mice lead by
the Mouse King, begin to circle the room while the toys and Christmas tree come to life. Clara’s Nutcracker
groups the soldier toys into battle formation and fights the mouse army. The Mouse King traps the Nutcracker
in the corner, but the Nutcracker can’t overcome the Mouse King’s strength. Clara makes a desperate move to
save her Nutcracker from defeat and throws her slipper at
the Mouse King. She hits him directly in the head! The
Nutcracker is able to overcome the stunned Mouse King
and claims victory. The mice army quickly carries away
their King.
Clara falls onto the Nutcracker’s bed, over-whelmed by
the moment. As angels and delightful music hover over
their heads, the bed turns into a magical sleigh, floating
higher and higher. The Nutcracker is transformed into a
human prince (who looks strikingly similar to
Drosselmeyer’s nephew). He gets on Clara’s sleigh and
drives through a snowy forest where the snowflakes turn
into dancing maidens.
As the clock strikes midnight magical things happen.
The Nutcracker Study Guide Page 2Act II After their magical journey through the snow forest, they come to their destination in the Land of Sweets. Clara can’t believe her eyes; ladyfinger mountains topped with whipped cream whiter than snow, sweetly glazed flowers and butter-cream frosting everywhere she looks. Upon their arrival, they are greeted by the Sugar Plum Fairy. As they reenact the night’s events, the Sugar Plum Fairy becomes impressed with Clara’s bravery and the Nutcracker’s heroism. In their honor, the Sugar Plum Fairy takes them inside the Candy Castle and throws a lavish festival. They are treated like royalty and presented with every imaginable sweet. Shortly thereafter, the dancing begins. Lollipops and gumdrops dance to the lively music of trumpets and castanets of the Spanish fandango. The women of coffee dance in veils and move their bodies like rising steam to an Arabian song, while Mandarin tea dances to an exotic Asian flute chorus. Matroishkas (Russian dolls) follow the Mandarin tea leaping and dancing to an invigorating Russian Trepak. To Clara’s enjoyment there is still more to be seen. A giant gingerbread house known as Mother Ginger dances onto the Sugar Plum Fairy’s court. She opens her skirt and little gingerbread children come dancing out circling around her. After the Mirliton dance is over, the children quickly file back into the large gingerbread house and Mother Ginger leaves the room. Soon after Mother Ginger exits, the dancing flowers enter to the tune of the harp. Perhaps the most beautiful waltz she has ever heard, Clara watches with amazement. The flowers dance in beautiful mesmerizing patterns as a Dewdrop fairy and cavalier floats above them. Silence quickly follows the end of their dance. Clara doesn’t know what to expect next. A handsome Cavalier enters the scene and escorts the Sugar Plum Fairy to the center of the room. They dance to the most recognizable song in the entire work. The captivating pair dances lighter than air. This beautiful dance completes Clara’s most perfect evening. The festival concludes when everyone comes together on the court and bids Clara and the Nutcracker Prince farewell. She tells the Nutcracker she wishes the adventure would never end and he tells her it won’t for those who have an eye to see it. Clara wakes up the next morning under the Christmas tree with her Nutcracker still in her arms. History of the Nutcracker Ballet: The Nutcracker Ballet was written during the classical period of ballet, a time when many famous ballets were being written and performed. The Nutcracker is based on the book "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King" by E.T.A. Hoffman. Russian composer Peter Tchaikovsky wrote the music for the ballet during the early 1890's, near the end of his life. Hoffman's original story was modified quite a bit in order for it to be suitable for children. The very first performance of The Nutcracker took place in Russia in 1892. The San Francisco Ballet performed the first American production of The Nutcracker in 1944. Setting and Characters: The setting of The Nutcracker is in Western Europe in the 1800's. The story opens on Christmas Eve at the home of Hans Stahlbaum, the town mayor. The wealthy Stahlbaum family is hosting a festive holiday party for family and friends. The Stahlbaum children, Clara and Fritz, are anxiously awaiting the arrival of several invited guests. The home is immaculately decorated for the holidays, complete with a beautifully trimmed Christmas tree. Snow begins to fall as the guests arrive, most bearing gifts. The Nutcracker Study Guide Page 3
Party Scene: Arriving late to the party is the Stahlbaum children's mysterious godfather, Herr Drosselmeyer.
He delights the party guests with his life-size dancing dolls. He then presents gifts to all the children. Fritz
receives a toy train and Clara is presented with a beautiful toy nutcracker. Clara is delighted with the unusual
present until Fritz breaks it. Drosselmeyer wipes Clara's tears and repairs the nutcracker, but she remains
disappointed. The guests eventually depart, and Clara and Fritz are sent to bed. Clara gets back up to search for
her nutcracker, then falls asleep clutching it. Her dream then begins.
Mouse Scene: Clara awakens suddenly, stunned by the events she sees happening in her living room. The
Christmas tree has grown to an enormous size and life-size mice are scampering around the room. Fritz's toy
soldiers have come to life and are marching toward Clara's nutcracker, which has also grown to life-size. A
battle is soon underway between the mice and the soldiers, led by the giant Mouse King. The nutcracker and the
Mouse King enter an intense battle. When Clara sees that her nutcracker is about to be defeated, she throws her
shoe at him, stunning him long enough for the nutcracker to stab him with his sword.
Snow Scene: She is magically transformed into a beautiful princess, and the nutcracker turns into a handsome
prince before her eyes. The prince bows before Clara, taking her hand in his. He leads her to the Land of Snow.
The two dance together surrounded by a flurry of snowflakes.
Land of the Sweets: Clara and her prince arrive by boat at the Land of the Sweets, greeted by the Sugar
Plum Fairy. The prince tells Clara that he lives in the Land of the Sweets and rules from the Marzipan Castle.
Clara is entertained by several dance performances including the Spanish Dance, the Arabian Dance, the
Chinese Dance, and the Waltz of the Flowers. Clara and her Nutcracker Prince then dance together, in honor of
their new friends.
Clara Awakens: On Christmas morning, Clara awakens under the Christmas tree, still holding her beloved
nutcracker. She thinks about the mysterious events that happened during the night and wonders if it was all just
a dream. She clutches her nutcracker doll and delights in the magic of Christmas
Sugar Plum Fairy and the Nutcracker Prince Mother Ginger and her children
An Arabian Dance
The Nutcracker Study Guide Page 4Interesting Facts:
• The 1892 premiere of The Nutcracker failed with both the public and critics. Unfortunately,
Tchaikovsky never knew what a huge success the ballet became, as he died less than a year later.
• Tchaikovsky was asked to use the celesta, a new instrument, to make the music for the Sugar Plum Fairy
sound like the "sprays of a fountain."
• Tchaikovsky based the music for the Arabian Dance on a Georgian lullaby.
• The Sugar Plum Fairy's dance with the Prince is probably the most famous pas de deux (dance for two)
in ballet.
• The Nutcracker Ballet has many interpretations, resulting in several different plots and character names.
History of the Nutcracker Ballet
The Nutcracker Ballet was written during the classical period of ballet, a time when many famous ballets were
being written and performed. The Nutcracker is based on the book "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King" by
E.T.A. Hoffman. Russian composer Peter Tchaikovsky wrote the music for the ballet during the early 1890's,
near the end of his life. Hoffman's original story was modified quite a bit in order for it to be suitable for
children. The very first performance of The Nutcracker took place in Russia in 1892. The San Francisco Ballet
performed the first American production of The Nutcracker in 1944.
Over 100 years old, The Nutcracker Ballet was first presented at the
Mayinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia, on December 17, 1892.
Peter Tchaikovsky, the famous Russian composer, was
commissioned by mastermind choreographer Marius Petipa to
compose the ballet score based on Alexandre Dumas’s adaptation of
E.T.A. Hoffman’s tale "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King."
Tchaikovsky and Petipa had previously worked together on another
classical ballet, Sleeping Beauty.
The first production of The Nutcracker was a failure. Neither the
critics nor the audience liked it. Even though Czar Alexander III
was delighted with the ballet, The Nutcracker was not an instant
success. However, the ballet gained popularity with future
productions, especially in the United States.
The first performance of The Nutcracker in the United States was
by the San Francisco Opera Ballet, in 1944. The production was
directed by William Christensen. However, by changing a few
characters, choreographer George Balanchine brought new life to
The Nutcracker. His 1954 production for the New York City Ballet
popularized the ballet, establishing it as a holiday tradition. Many of
the versions of The Nutcracker performed today are based on the
version created by George Balanchine.
The Nutcracker Study Guide Page 5The Nutcracker Study Guide Page 6
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