Staring through the large door at Silberhaus Manor, Clara and her brother, Fritz, long for the party to begin.
Soon their parents allow them inside the living room that proudly boasts the glittering cloak of Christmas. Only moments later, the guests begin to arrive and the merriment begins. Clara’s Godfather, Herr Drosselmeyer, a magician, entertains the guests with two life-sized dolls. His nephew joins him as his assistant. Herr Drosselmeyer gives Clara a nutcracker. The strange little nutcracker also captures Fritz’s attention. When Fritz attempts to wrench the doll from his sister’s hands, he breaks it. Sadly, Clara lays the broken nutcracker under the Christmas tree before she is sent upstairs to bed.
Battle Scene
Unable to sleep, Clara sneaks back downstairs to find her nutcracker. With only a flicker of light from her candle, the strangeness of night overcomes her as the clock strikes twelve. She falls into a deep haunting sleep with the nutcracker wrapped in her arms.
As she sleeps, an army of huge mice led by the Mouse King invades the room. They quickly set about removing all of the furniture as if to make room for the Christmas tree, which has begun to grow. Suddenly the packages spring open and out march the toy soldiers, bunny, Raggedy Ann and Andy, now grown to human dimensions. The nutcracker is transformed into a life-sized figure by Drosselmeyer. The Mouse King deals heartlessly with the poor nutcracker, and is about to finish him off when Clara rises to his defense and kills the Mouse King.
Herr Drosselmeyer transforms the nutcracker into a prince who happens to resemble Herr Drosselmeyer’s nephew.
Snow Kingdom
Herr Drosselmeyer then takes Clara and the Prince to the Snow Kingdom, where they are graciously received. The entire kingdom of snowflakes performs a dance for their entertainment. Afterwards, the Snow King and Queen grant them their blessings, and send them on their way toward the Land of Sweets.
Land of the Sweets
Upon reaching the sugar-coated Land of Sweets, they are greeted by the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier. Endowed with a festive spirit, the Sugar Plum Fairy calls all her subjects together to honor her guests. Clara and the Prince take the seat of honor upon the royal throne, and are entertained by the sweets of various countries, including Spain, Arabia, China, and Russia. The mirlitons and the candy bon bons dance for them. The music’s spirit prods the sleepy flowers into a proud waltz before the throne. The Sugar Plum Fairy and the Cavalier pay final tribute to the young couple as they dance the Grand Pas de Deux. Herr Drosselmeyer interrupts the celebration and reminds Clara that she is asleep. Fritz wakes up Clara from her dream and she proudly admires her nutcracker.
