"The Nutcracker"

Act I

It is Christmas Eve, and the streets of the town have a holiday air. The Stahlbaums are happy of the winter beauty that surrounds their house. The children – Mary, Fritz and Luisa – roll snow-balls. Angels carry the snow-balls. Fritz tries to carry his snow-ball too, but it's too heavy. Only Mary can lift her snow-ball. She is a wonderful girl with an open heart.
Suddenly, mysterious Dr. Drosselmeyer arrives and entertains the children with his magical tricks and wind-up dolls.

Now dressed as a magician, Drosselmeyer does tricks and puts on a puppet show – The Mouse King wishes to kidnap the princess, but the courageous Nutcracker kills the Mouse King and saves the princess.
The celebration is interrupted again when Drosselmeyer reveals to the children that he has brought them gifts.

His presents are always unusual. Dr. Drosselmeyer brings a special gift for Clara - a wooden nutcracker. Fritz grows jealous, snatches the Nutcracker from Mary and plays a game of toss with the other boys. It isn't long until the Nutcracker breaks. Mary is upset, but Drosselmeyer fixes it with a handkerchief.

As the evening grows late, the guests depart and the Stahlbaum family retires for the evening.  Mary, worried about her beloved Nutcracker, sneaks back to the tree to check on him, falling asleep with him in her arms.
Mary dreams that out of nowhere large mice, led by the Mouse King, begin to circle the room. As the Nutcracker awakens, he leads his army of toy soldiers into battle with the mice.  The Mouse King corners the Nutcracker and battles him one-on-one.  The Nutcracker seems to be no match for the Mouse King.

Mary makes a final daring charge throwing her slipper at the Mouse King, hitting him square on the head. The Nutcracker turns into a Prince and takes Mary to his kingdom. Flaring star lights their way and helps them to surmount obstacles.

Act II

Prince and Mary come to fairyland welcomed by angels. But the mice led by the Mouse King bar their way again. However, the Prince gains a victory over the Mouse King.
Finally Prince and Mary arrive in the Kingdom of Sweets. The cooks are preparing delectable treats for their arrival. They dance to the most recognizable song in the entire work. The captivating pair dance lighter than air. This beautiful dance completes Mary’s most perfect evening.

Desert street. Snow-flakes fall slightly to earth. Suddenly a snow-ball opens like a flower. Mary sees a wooden toy. It's the Nutcracker! The party begins. Merry Christmas!