The Story of the Nutcracker at Berkeley Ballet Theater
Act I
One Christmas Eve, outside the house of the toymaker and magician Herr Drosselmeyer, two homeless orphans are shivering in the snow. When Drosselmeyer's sister and her family come to visit, the orphan boy Fritz tries to sneak in beside them, but Drosselmeyer stops him. Fritz and his sister Clara peek through the frosted windows to see the family opening presents and eating Christmas dinner, while they have nothing but an old blanket to keep themselves warm. Huddled together, Clara drifts off to sleep and has a strange, wonderful dream.
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In her dream, Herr Drosselmeyer comes out into the street after the party and takes pity on Fritz and Clara. He invites them inside, where they find a beautiful Christmas tree. They are disappointed that all of the presents have been opened, but Drosselmeyer brings out three dolls - a mouse, a soldier, and a ballerina - then works a powerful magic spell to bring them to life. Clara is enchanted by the soldier doll and wants it for her own, but Drosselmeyer has brought two other dolls for them - a Nutcracker and a Mouse King. | |
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Clara loves her doll, but Fritz is not pleased with his. As they play, he gets carried away and breaks the Nutcracker. Drosselmeyer fixes the doll for Clara, but to teach Fritz a lesson, he turns the naughty boy into a mouse.
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Act II
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The Cavalier recalls the battle scene and Clara's bravery. The Sugar Plum Fairy is so impressed that she invites all the Sweets to come and entertain the children: Spanish Chocolate, Arabian Coffee, Chinese Tea, Russian Licorice, French Mirlitons, and Mother Ginger with her Little Pierrots. A garden of fragrant flowers waltzes with them, and, finally, the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Cavalier perform their magical dance. | |
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But just as all the Sweets are joyously dancing together, Clara is awakened from her dream by the light shining from Herr Drosselmeyer's house. As his guests are leaving, they all realize suddenly that these poor children in the street have no home. The parents take them in their arms and decide that from then on, Clara and Fritz shall be their children, also.
Clara knows that her dream has come true when her new sister smiles at her and gives her a very special gift.
The performances of the Berkeley Ballet Theater are dedicated to every child who has no home this holiday season and to those who help them find one. Together, may we all find the magic of Clara's dream come true.
Robert Nichols & Sally Streets
Before long, a battle ensues between a dozen toy soldiers and
a pack of mice. Their leaders, the Nutcracker Prince and the Mouse
King, fight a duel. Clara suddenly recognizes the Mouse King -
it's Fritz! - and she throws herself between the two to end the
fight. Fritz and Clara are happy to be together again and Fritz
vows that he has learned his lesson.
The Snow Queen and King appear
and lead them through the Land of Snow to the magical Kingdom
of Sweets.
