The Nutcracker

It is Christmas Eve, and the Stahlbaum family—Dr. and Mrs. Stahlbaum, their adolescent daughter Clara, and her mischievous younger brother Fritz—are preparing for their annual Christmas party. In town, Clara’s godfather Drosselmeyer works in his clockmaker’s shop, preparing gifts and magical entertainments with his Nephew as his assistant.

The party begins, a grand affair with excited guests. Drosselmeyer and his Nephew arrive, and after the children dance, Drosselmeyer’s entertainment dazzles the crowd with tricks, automata, and a soldier doll chasing a puppet mouse. Drosselmeyer gives Clara a Nutcracker doll, but jealous Fritz accidentally breaks it. The Nephew says he will return to fix Clara’s Nutcracker. Clara is charmed by the Nephew’s kindness and carefully places the doll in her dollhouse before she goes to bed.

Late at night, Clara creeps downstairs to check on the Nutcracker but is attacked by giant mice. Drosselmeyer appears, scaring them away and transforming the room. A battle ensues between mice and toy soldiers led by the Nutcracker. The Nutcracker is injured, but Clara saves the day. Drosselmeyer transforms the Nutcracker into a Prince, and alongside Clara they dance to a land of snowflakes.

They then travel across a sea of chocolate to the Kingdom of Sweets, where Clara is crowned the Sugar Plum Fairy. All the kingdom of Sweets celebrate with delightful dances and Clara as Sugar Plum Fairy dances with her Prince. After leaving the court with Drosselmeyer, Clara fell asleep.

Early On Christmas morning, Drosselmeyer lays a dreaming Clara at the foot of the Christmas tree. His Nephew appears with tools to fix the Nutcracker. Clara awakens and gives the Nephew a warm hug of thanks and Dr Stahlbaum wishes them all a very happy Christmas.