The Story of The Nutcracker

It is the early 1890s in a German village. The Stahlbaum's have invited friends and family alike to their home for an evening of Christmas celebration. Before the guests arrive, Mr. and Mrs. Stahlbaum, along with young Clara and her little brother Fritz, have prepared a grand celebration.

The guests arrived in their best clothes and children were told to be on their best behavior for the party. As they arrived at the front door, they took note of the brass knocker in the shape of a mouse. The "clink - clank" of the knocker let the Stahlbaum's know that there guests had arrived.

As the party begins, everyone is offered a refreshing drink. The grownups share adult beverages and the children sip warm tea. Clara and Fritz lead their friends in games, like follow the leader, and dances. They pass the time as they anxiously await Herr Drosselmeyer, Clara's godfather, to arrive.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The somewhat mysterious Herr Drosselmeyer is known as a great toymaker, inventor, and magician. No one knew what to expect when he arrived - he could pulls flowers out of the air or bring dolls to life!

When it is time for presents, Herr Drosselmeyer gives Clara a Nutcracker in the shape of a toy soldier in full military dress. At first Clara is confused, thinking a soldier should be a gift for Fritz, but then Drosselmeyer shows her how wonderful it is at opening the hard shells of nuts. The little soldier's mouth could open wide and with a gentle movement of the handle on the soldier's back, "Crack!" went the nut.

Fritz is jealous of his sister's present and fights over it - breaking it. Heart-broken, Clara cries. Drosselmeyer quickly comes to the rescue, punishes and chases Fritz away, and repairs the Nutcracker as best he could.

The party continues as the grownups dance their favorite dances; and the men toast to the coming New Year. Eventually, everyone grows tired and the guests begin the leave. Many of the little children have already fallen asleep. After the guests have gone, Clara puts her Nutcracker under the Christmas tree and the family goes to their bedrooms.

Clara is worried about her Nutcracker, she loves it so. After everyone is asleep, near midnight, she goes to the Christmas tree because she is worried about her precious gift. As she holds the Nutcracker, she falls asleep under the tree.

Startled by a noise, she awakens to find everything bigger. The Christmas Tree has grown. Mice scurried about and Clara is frightened. She tries to escape, but she is surrounded by mice, led by the Mouse Queen. Is this a dream? The Nutcracker comes to life to defend Clara with a band of soldiers.

A battle between the mice and soldiers
rages on. Clara tries to help and
distracts the Mouse Queen just
enough so that the Nutcracker can
defeat the Queen. The mice retreat taking their fallen leader with them.

Suddenly, the Nutcracker is transformed into a Prince. The Prince takes Clara to a magical world where snow flakes and fairies dance.

Clara and the Prince travel in their coach to the Land of the Sugar Plum Fairy where the good people of the Land of Sweets entertain them, including the Dew Drop Fairy; the Spanish, Chinese, Arabian, and Russian dancers; Mother Ginger and her many children, flowers, and more.

In the end, Clara is awoken by her loving parents, who have found her beneath the Christmas tree hugging her Nutcracker.

 

Photography by Todd Philips