Nutcracker

Creative Team

Synopsis

SETTING
Christmas 1913, in a large and lively Canadian home during a time of prosperity and celebration.

OVERTURE
‘Tis the night before Christmas, and while the household prepares for a grand holiday party, the neighbourhood boys play hockey in the street. Friends and family begin to arrive with armloads of gifts, filling the house with excitement.

ACT 1 – SCENE 1 – CLARA’S BEDROOM
Twelve-year-old Clara is lost in a world of her own, practicing ballet steps in front of her mirror in hopes of impressing her glamorous Aunt Josephine. Mama bustles in, anxious about last-minute party details. Suddenly, Clara’s younger brother Dieter, leaps out of the armoire with a toy sword, causing chaos until Grandmother Marguerite arrives to restore calm. She gathers the children and shows them photographs of Christmases past while Mama hurries back downstairs.

ACT 1 – SCENE 2 – THE CHRISTMAS PARTY
Guests pour into the home, including Aunt Josephine, who sweeps in dramatically with her fiancé Edouard, resplendent in his military uniform. Drosselmeier arrives with a magnificent Christmas tree, and soon the decorating begins. Clara is given the honour of placing the star at the top.

Drosselmeier distributes his cleverly crafted gifts, saving his masterpiece for Clara – a beautifully handmade Nutcracker. Later, Clara slips away to admire it and imagines the Nutcracker coming to life and dancing with her.

The party becomes delightfully chaotic when a mischievous bear bumps in, admiring the tree and dancing with the toys. The festivities whirl to a joyful close in a flurry of dancing and laughter.

ACT 1 – SCENE 3 – BEDTIME
Clara falls asleep, but her dreams quickly turn frightening as the fearsome Mouse King appears, threatening to steal her beloved Nutcracker. The clock strikes midnight.

ACT 1 – SCENE 4 – THE LIVING ROOM
Moonlight spills through the window as Clara runs to find Drosselmeier. Before their eyes, the room and Christmas tree begin to grow. Clara is attacked by scurrying mice as she tries to defend her Nutcracker. Suddenly, the Nutcracker springs to life.

Dieter’s toy soldiers and the Mounted Police transform into a living regiment that engages the mice in a fierce battle. The tide turns when Fritz is wounded and the Nutcracker is shot by the Mouse King as he tries to help Dieter.

ACT 1 – SCENE 5 – A MAGICAL FOREST
Clara bravely defeats the Mouse King and pleads with Drosselmeier to save her Nutcracker. When she declares her love, the Nutcracker awakens and reveals himself to be Julien, Drosselmeier’s grandnephew. Hand in hand, they wander into a shimmering pine forest, dancing under falling snow and a sky full of stars. Together, they journey to the kingdom of the Sugar Plum Fairy.

ACT 2 – SCENE 1 – THE KINGDOM
Clara and the Nutcracker Prince arrive in the Sugar Plum Fairy’s enchanted realm, where little angels and Drosselmeier prepare for their welcome. The Sugar Plum Fairy receives them warmly and presents an elaborate ceremony in their honour. Clara and Prince Julien share a beautiful pas de deux. In a grand farewell, the entire court gathers to wish Clara a happy journey home.

ACT 2 – SCENE 2 – EARLY MORNING
Clara awakens in her bedroom, relieved to see her Nutcracker standing proudly by her side. Remembering her dream, she is even more comforted when Fritz bursts into the room, alive and full of energy. The siblings bundle up and step outside to watch the snow drift gently down. It was the best Christmas ever!

Origin

Nutcracker was commissioned by former Artistic Director André Lewis, C.M., O.M., M.S.M., and premiered at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, Ontario on December 2, 1999.