Nutcracker
December 8 and 9, 2007
Peoria Civic Center Theater

Nutcracker Synopsis

Nurenburg, Germany — Christmas Eve, late 19th Century

Act I

Prologue: The street in front of Herr Drosselmeyer’s workshop is filled with people happily making their way to their holiday festivities. Inside, Drosselmeyer is busy putting finishing touches on some very special gifts for his goddaughter, Clara Stahlbaum.

Scene One: At the Stahlbaum house, everyone is busy preparing for the Christmas festivities. Guests arrive and a marvelous party ensues. After much dancing and merrymaking, Herr Drosselmeyer arrives and entertains the children with some unusual dancing dolls. He then presents Clara with a magical Nutcracker, in the form of a soldier. She is delighted, but her jealous brother Fritz grabs the new toy and breaks it. Drosselmeyer mends the broken doll and the party ends with a stately “Grossvatertanz” (grandfather dance). Everyone departs and all is quiet in the Stahlbaum house. Unable to sleep, Clara creeps downstairs to see her beloved Nutcracker, but is frightened by the clock striking midnight.

Scene Two: Suddenly, magic begins to happen. The Christmas tree grows to an enormous size and Clara finds herself in the middle of a fierce battle between the toy soldiers, led by the valiant Nutcracker, and hordes of scurrying mice, led by a seven-headed Mouse King. Just as it seems that the Nutcracker will be defeated, Clara strikes the Mouse King with her shoes, killing him. The Nutcracker doll is transformed into a handsome prince who takes Clara on an incredible journey.

Scene Three: Passing through the land of Snow, Clara and the Nutcracker Prince are greeted by the Snow King and Queen and watch as beautiful snowflakes whirl and spin. They then board a crystal sleigh to be whisked through the night sky.

Act II

Clara and the Nutcracker Prince are greeted by a host of angels, who guide them to the wonderful Land of Sweets. There the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier, to whom they recount their harrowing adventures with the Mouse King, welcome them. Everyone rejoices and the dancing begins. Various confections from different countries perform: Chocolate from Spain, Coffee from Arabia, Tea from China, Mother Ginger and her bonbons from France, etc. After the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier dance, everyone joins in a rousing finale. At the height of the festivities, Clara suddenly finds herself back in her own house, joyfully wondering if it was real or just a dream.