Who’s Who in Nutcracker

With Their Favorite Holiday Treats!

Everyone has a favorite snack or drink that gets them in the festive spirit—including the characters in Nutcracker. Here are their go-tos during the holiday season.

CLARA STAHLBAUM

Clara is our heroine—a kind-hearted child on the cusp of adulthood, with an affection for her Uncle Drosselmeyer and her nutcracker doll.

Favorite holiday treat: Walnuts, cracked by her nutcracker.

FRITZ STAHLBAUM

Clara’s kid brother, Fritz is noisy, rowdy, and often in a little bit of trouble.

Favorite holiday treat: Anything with chocolate.

DROSSELMEYER

Drosselmeyer—known as “Uncle Drosselmeyer” to the Stahlbaum children—is a magical toy- and clockmaker. His shop is a major destination for last-minute holiday gifts.

Favorite holiday treat: A well-aged port.

GRANDMOTHER AND GRANDFATHER STAHLBAUM

Grandmother and Grandfather Stahlbaum may be getting up in years, but they’re still ready to dance at the party.

Favorite holiday treat: Champagne.

THE NUTCRACKER PRINCE

After several years of living life as a nutcracker, he’s thrilled when Drosselmeyer transforms him into a Prince. He’s a big favorite of both Clara and the Sugar Plum Fairy.

Favorite holiday treat: Anything without nuts.

KING OF THE MICE

A brutal dictator or a meek mouse with a Napolean complex? We’ll let you decide.

Favorite holiday treat: Cheese. Preferably from Marin County dairy cows.

SNOW QUEEN AND KING

The monarchs of the Land of the Snow, these two rule a brisk community of dancing snowflakes.

Favorite holiday treat: Coconut cupcakes.

THE SUGAR PLUM FAIRY

As ruler of the Crystal Palace, the Sugar Plum Fairy commands a platoon of dancing flowers, ladybugs, dragonflies, and butterflies. She’s best friends with Drosselmeyer, and has a soft spot for the Nutcracker Prince and Clara.

Favorite holiday treat: Sugarplums, a hard candy made of sugar.

SPANISH DANCERS

These five dancers from Madrid like to dance with Spanish flair.

Favorite holiday treat: Churros dipped in hot chocolate.

ARABIAN GENIE

Perhaps the most magical of the Crystal Palace residents are the Arabian Genie and her two Magicians.

Favorite holiday treat: Arabic coffee and ma’amoul.

CHINESE DANCER AND HIS DRAGON

The Chinese dancer hails from San Francisco’s Chinatown, where he trained in traditional Chinese dance.

Favorite holiday treat: Tea with egg tarts.

FRENCH MIRLITONS

These three French dancers come to the Crystal Palace by way of Parisian cabarets: talented at both dancing the can-can and twirling ribbons, they bring a bit of flirtatious fun to the celebration.

Favorite holiday treat: Marzipan candies and Miette macarons.

RUSSIAN DANCERS

Peter Carl Fabergé has nothing on these Russian dancers, whose giant eggs are nine feet tall.

Favorite holiday treat: Pastila (Пастила), a confection made of fruit paste.

MADAME DU CIRQUE

Madame du Cirque is kept busy with her many little buffoons. A total ham, she lives for the roar of the crowd.

Favorite holiday treat: Gingerbread.

THE BEAR

This friendly bear loves to be the star of the show and can often be found with his favorite friend, Madame du Cirque.

Favorite holiday treat: Russian honey cake (Медовик) from Hayes Valley’s 20th-Century Café, which he was introduced to by the Russian dancers.

Nutcracker has gone digital this season! Catch the holiday classic from November 27–December 31.

Purchase Nutcracker Online Tickets

Header Image: San Francisco Ballet in Tomasson’s Nutcracker // © Erik Tomasson