The Story of the Ballet
Act I
It is Christmas Eve. Family and friends gather happily for the celebration in Concillor von Stahlbaum's house. The Concillor's children, Clara and Fritz, dance around with their friends, and every child is given presents.
A mysterious man enters the room. It is Doctor Drosselmeyer, Clara's godfather, who is a talented toymaker and is said to possess magic powers.
Drosselmeyer gifts Clara a wooden nutcracker, which she instantly loves. Fritz becomes jealous and breaks the nutcracker, but Drosselmeyer quickly repairs it. The party finishes with a dance, and everyone leaves home happy.
During the night, Clara returns to the living room and falls asleep with her new nutcracker. Suddenly, rats and mice invade the room and Clara shrinks down. Drosselmeyer brings the Nutcracker and tin soldiers to life to rescue her, and everyone engages in a battle. The Nutcracker then engages in a duel with the Mouse King, but seems to be losing. To help him, Clara throws her shoe at the Mouse King, which kills him, and drives out the rodents.
Drosselmeyer then transforms the Nutcracker into a Prince, who takes Clara to a pine forest, where they dance with the Snowflakes. The Prince then leads Clara into the Land of Sweets.Act II
Clara and the Prince arrive in the Land of Sweets, and are greeted by the Sugar Plum Fairy. The Prince tells everyone the story of how Clara saved his life. To thank her, Clara is presented with many sweets and is given a wonderful performance, ending with a dance by the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier. After a final dance by all the sweets, the Sugar Plum Fairy reminds Clara she must return home. A sleigh then takes Clara away, as she waves back to all.