The Story of Nutcracker

In the Stahlbaums’ sitting room, family and friends merrily trim the tree. Clara, Fritz, and their friends descend the staircase to see—for the very first time—electric lights glowing on their Christmas tree! The children jump with glee. As they play with new Christmas toys, Dr. Stahlbaum invites the guests to dance. Clara joins the adults, dancing with her father.

Drosselmeyer—known as “Uncle Drosselmeyer” to the Stahlbaums—warmly greets the family and entertains everyone with magic. The children are delighted by an acrobatic jack-in-the-box and a beautiful, life-sized ballerina doll.

Uncle Drosselmeyer then opens his gift and presents the magical nutcracker to Clara. Captivated, she dances with the magical doll. Fritz is envious. He mischievously pulls the nutcracker from his sister's hands, breaking it.

Drosselmeyer carefully bandages the doll and returns it to Clara, who plays with it gently. The Stahlbaum grandparents begin their annual holiday dance and all join in.

As he hour grows late, guests drift home and the Stahlbaums go upstairs to bed. Too excited to sleep, Clara returns to the darkened sitting room in search of her nutcracker doll.  As the clock strikes midnight, she falls asleep on the sofa.

As Clara dreams, she relives memories of the evening. Deep within her dream, Uncle Drosselmeyer appears and mends the nutcracker doll. As Clara wakens into her dream, her house begins to expand around her. Drosselmeyer makes the Christmas tree grows wondrously large over now tiny Clara.

Giant mice appear, frightening Clara. The nutcracker doll comes to life to defend her. He summons an army of toy soldiers from the cupboard and a fierce battle ensues.

The ferocious King of the Mice challenges the Nutcracker to a duel. Clara’s quick thinking helps the Nutcracker defeat the King of the Mice.

After the battle, the Nutcracker collapses. Heartbroken, Clara begs Uncle Drosselmeyer for help. Magically, he transforms the Nutcracker into a dashing Prince. The Prince thanks Clara for saving him, and together they embark on an enchanting journey through the Land of Snow.

As snow falls, snowflakes begin to dance. The King and Queen of Snow send Clara and the Prince off to their next adventure in a beautiful sleigh pulled by crystal horses.