A Christmas Eve dream
Act I
It is Christmas Eve, and Mr. and Mrs. Stahlbaum and their children, Clara and Fritz, are hosting a party. Among the guests is the children's mysterious godfather Drosselmeyer, a toy maker, who brings gifts for the children. The favorite is the wonderful Nutcracker doll he gives Clara. Clara is thrilled with her new toy and devastated when her brother Fritz breaks it. Drosselmeyer mends it and returns it to her. When the evening is over, Clara reluctantly leaves her doll downstairs and goes to bed.
Drosselmeyer returns and spreads his magic into the night. Clara is awakened by strange noises and goes downstairs to investigate. She finds the house full of mice led by the Mouse King. As they surround Clara and the Nutcracker, an army of toy soldiers appears. A great battle begins, and just as the Mouse King looks set to defeat the Nutcracker, Clara uses a cannonball from the soldiers' cannon to strike the Mouse King. With the Mouse King defeated, the Nutcracker is transformed into a handsome prince. As it begins to snow, Drosselmeyer leads Clara and her Prince through a snowy forest toward the Land of the Sweets.
Act II
In the Land of the Sweets, Clara and the Prince are greeted by the Sugar Plum Fairy and sweets from all over the world. The Prince and Clara tell the story of the battle, and in celebration of their victory, all of the sweets perform for them. At the end of the celebration, Clara falls asleep.
She awakens with her beloved Nutcracker doll. Had it all been a dream?
