Page 10 - The Holiday Issue San Diego Woman Magazine

The Nutcracker 101: The Backstory tion as he presents two life-size dolls. the Nutcracker awakens, he leads his
They are the delight of the party, each army of toy soldiers into battle with the
The Nutcracker Ballet is a staple taking a turn to dance. mice. The Mouse King corners the Nut-
during the Christmas holidays in Ballet The children begin to open gifts cracker and battles him one-on-one. The
Companies everywhere and outperforms when Drosselmeyer presents his to Clara Nutcracker seems to be no match for the
all other ballets due to the popularity and Fritz. He gives Clara a beautiful Mouse King.
of the holiday-themed story of a young Nutcracker dressed in blue that comes The Nutcracker and his army can
girl from Christmas Eve to Christmas with a tall black hat that is the hit of the go on no longer and are captured by the
morning showing how she experiences party. The children dance with their mice and their King. Clara makes a final
the magic of the Christmas season. new dolls and stick horses. Fritz grabs daring charge throwing her slipper at
However, you're likely to see vari- the Nutcracker from Clara. He spins it the Mouse King who is slain by the Nut-
ations on this timeless story no matter around, drops it, and it breaks. Clara is cracker! The Mouse King drops to the
where you see it. heartbroken looking on as Drosselmeyer floor, and the mice run away, carrying
The Nutcracker Ballet is based quickly repairs the Nutcracker with a off their leader's lifeless body.
on the story "The Nutcracker and the handkerchief he magically draws from The Land of Snow: The Nutcracker
Mouse King" written by E.T.A. Hoffman the air. turns into a Prince and escorts Clara
in 1816. Although what is seen on the As the evening grows late, the guests on a journey to the Land of Snow, an
stage today is different in detail from the depart, and the Stahlbaum family retires enchanted forest wonderland where they
original story, the basic plot remains the for the evening. Clara, worried about her are welcomed by dancing snowflakes,
same: The story of a young German girl beloved Nutcracker, sneaks back to the who dance a lovely waltz with the Snow
who dreams of a Nutcracker Prince and tree to check on him, falling asleep with Queen and King. The Snow Queen
a fierce battle against a Mouse King with him in her arms on the couch. transforms her sleigh into a walnut shell
seven heads. When Marius Petipa had The Fight Scene: As the clock strikes vessel that carries Clara and the Prince
the idea to choreograph the story into midnight strange things begin to hap- to the Kingdom of Sweets.
a ballet, it was based on a revision by pen. Clara starts shrinking as her beau- The Land of Sweets: In the Land
Alexander Dumas, a well-known French tiful Christmas tree grows high above of Sweets they are greeted by the Sugar
author. His version reflects more of what her. The toys around the tree come to Plum Fairy. The Prince tells her about
we have come to love as The Nutcracker life while the room fills with an army of their courageous battle with the army
Ballet. The book became the basis for mice, led by the fierce Mouse King. As of mice, and she rewards them with
Tchaikovsky’s magnificent “Nutcracker
Suite” which lives on as a holiday tradi-
tion throughout the world. Here are the
basics:

The Nutcracker Ballet Story--The Most
Common of Many Variations

The Party Scene: It is Christmas Eve
at the Stahlbaum house. It’s a large and
grand house with the most beautiful tree
imaginable. The Stahlbaums are hosting
their annual Christmas party, wel-
coming the arrival of their family and
friends. The children, Clara and Fritz,
are dancing and playing as they welcome
their friends, too.
The party grows festive with music
and dance as godfather Drosselmeyer
arrives. He is a skilled clock and toy
maker and always full of surprises.
Drosselmeyer draws everyone's atten-
Photo courtesy of California Ballet

10