The Nutcracker Story

The Nutcracker was first presented 123 years ago at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia, on December 17, 1892. Peter Tchaikovsky, the famous Russian composer, was commissioned by mastermind choreographer Marius Petipa to etch the ballet, score based on Alexandre Dumas's accommodation of E.T.A. Hoffman'southward tale "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King."

The first performance of The Nutcracker in the United states was past the San Francisco Opera Ballet, in 1944. The production was directed by William Christensen. Twenty years later in 1966, San José Dance Theatre brought the Silicon Valley it's own version of the Nutcracker. San José Dance Theatre is the second oldest Nutcracker in the Bay Expanse and has been produced each and every Dec for 51 consecutive years.

mother-cupcake-san-jose-nutcracker Prologue

It is Christmas Eve in New England, 1830. The night is cold. Herr Drosselmeyer, the magician, famous clock maker, toy maker, and godfather to Clara Stahlbaum, is seen walking with his Nephew. Herr Drosselmeyer and his Nephew are on their way to a Vacation Party at the Stahlbaum House. Other excited guests, dressed in their holiday best, are also on their way to the party. They meet street vendors and urchins and exchange vacation greetings. A puppeteer and Herr Drosselmeyer enact a fight between a mouse and the Nutcracker that foreshadow the Battle Scene that will occur subsequently that dark.

drosselmeyers-doll

Political party Scene

Clara, Stahlbaum and her younger blood brother, Fritz are seen arguing in the Stahlbaum house, when Herr Drosselmeyer enters unnoticed and seems to magically stop their quarreling. Clara, Fritz, together with their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Stahlbaum, and the maid and butler, welcome all of the guests. A beautiful Christmas tree stands glistening with candles and ornaments. The Stahlbaum'due south exchange gifts with their guests as the party goes into total swing. Adults laugh and converse while the children play with their new toys.

In the midst of these festivities, Herr Drosselmeyer and his Nephew arrive and this fourth dimension, are seen by the guests. Drosselmeyer magically makes a Ballerina Doll, Harlequin Doll, and Columbine Doll come to life. Clara, enchanted by the Ballerina Doll, asks Drosselmeyer for her. She is refused and begins to cry. Her mother consoles Clara, and Drosselmeyer surprises her by giving her the Nutcracker doll. Clara is overjoyed and begins dancing with her new doll. Clara's mischievous brother, Fritz, grabs the doll and breaks information technology. Herr Drosselmeyer, using the enchanted scarf he bought from a vendor, repairs the Nutcracker. Clara and her girlfriends dance with their dolls. The adults bring together easily for the stately Grandmother's Dance. The festive evening comes to an end and the guests say their good-byes. Clara wants to accept her Nutcracker doll to sleep but her female parent asks her to leave it by the Christmas tree.

The Battle

Later that nighttime, in the dark and quiet drawing room, Clara enters with a flickering candle, looking for her Nutcracker. She takes it in her arms and falls asleep on the couch. Huge and small mice scurry around the room frightening Clara, and so, under Herr Drosselmeyer'southward spell, the mice are sent away. Drosselmeyer comforts Clara, dances with her, and asks her "Would like to see the Nutcracker come to life?" Clara excitedly replies "Yes!" and Drosselmeyer transforms the Nutcracker into a live young human being. Drosselmeyer and then brings the room to life causing the tree to grow to wondrous proportions. Clara is in awe and knights the Nutcracker Prince before he must battle the mice.

The mice are dorsum! This time, with their leader, the frightening seven headed Mouse King! The Nutcracker Prince summons his troop of toy soldiers to a ferocious battle. At the point of the Nutcracker's defeat, Clara rushes in and helps him. The Nutcracker defeats the Mouse King and Drosselmeyer arrives to accept his sword and innovate them to the Snow King.
Winter Wonderland

The Snow King welcomes Clara and the Nutcracker and calls his magical creatures, the Reindeer of Wintertime Wonderland Forest. The Reindeer dance and then pull the Snow Queen in the Royal Sled. The Snow Queen asks Clara and the Nutcracker Prince, "Do y'all want to encounter snowflakes dance?" They answer "Yes", and the Snow Queen, Snowfall Male monarch and snowflakes dance. The snowfall scene ends with the magical Reindeer pulling Clara and the Nutcracker on the Purple Sled.

~Intermission~

nutcracker-prince-and-claraThe Processed Kingdom

Clara and the Nutcracker Prince, led past Drosselmeyer, fly through the clouds in the Anecdote Crush Boat and go far at the gates of Candy Kingdom. Spun Sugar Angels and Cherubs, an assortment of Candies come to life, and the beautiful Sugarplum Fairy and her handsome Cavalier greet them.

The Nutcracker Prince tells the story of how Clara and he defeated the Mouse King. The Sugarplum Fairy commands a celebration in their honor. Pages present Clara gifts that represent presents Clara'south family had received at their Christmas party: The Spanish Chocolate, Marzipan Flute, Arabian Java, Chinese Tea, Russian Ribbon Processed, Gingerbread and all. Clara is crowned a princess and the Nutcracker is awarded with a medal for his bravery.

Each souvenir comes to life and dances for Clara. The Sugarplum and her Condescending perform a glorious M Pas de Deux! As the trip the light fantastic ends, the Sugar Plum Fairy summons the Anecdote Beat out Boat to carry Clara dwelling.

Finalé
Clara's mother finds her asleep on the sofa. She gently wakes Clara and guides her back to her room, this time assuasive Clara to take her Nutcracker doll. Herr Drosselmeyer is seen magically flying out of the Stahlbaum house.