ACT ONE It is Christmas Eve in Pittsburgh over 100 years ago. This is the Stahlbaum’s house in the Shadyside neighborhood. On the street outside, Mr. Drosselmeyer and his Nephew unload Christmas gifts from their cart to take to the Stahlbaum’s party. The Nephew wears a mask because he has been cursed by the Rat King. The mask scares some of the people attending the party. Inside the house, Marie, Dr. Stahlbaum’s daughter, gets ready for the party. She’s reading a book called Kaufmann’s Christmas Stories for Boys and Girls. Her parents present her with two special gifts because she’s growing up: a beautiful scarf and a pair of pointe shoes. The Stahlbaum’s Christmas Eve party begins. There are adults and children dancing, trimming the Christmas tree, and exchanging gifts. Drosselmeyer and the Nephew enter the party. Drosselmeyer makes a pirate doll and other dolls come to life and dance! Drosselmeyer gives Marie a wooden Nutcracker doll. Marie’s brother Fritz breaks the Nutcracker, and the Nephew and Drosselmeyer fix it for Marie.
Everyone at the party is afraid of the Nephew because of his mask. But Marie knows that he is kind. After much fun and festivity, the party ends.
The guests leave, and the Stahlbaum family exchange their own gifts and go to bed. But Marie has forgotten her Nutcracker.
As the clock strikes midnight, she tiptoes back downstairs to find him. Marie is not alone, though. The whole house is under a kind of spell. Giant rats and mice skitter after Marie. Everything is growing— furniture, books, toys, the presents, and even the Christmas tree! The mice and rats begin to go after Marie, but the Nutcracker springs to life to rescue her! Nearby, the book of Christmas stories suddenly opens… and out pop all the characters, magically brought to life! The toy soldiers also come to life to help the Nutcracker. The Nutcracker leads the toy soldiers and storybook characters to battle against the rats and mice. But then the Rat King enters to fight the Nutcracker! The Rat King almost defeats the Nutcracker. But Marie takes off her shoe, throws it at the Rat King, and knocks him to the ground. Marie fought for the Nutcracker and showed how much she loves him.
Because of her love, she broke the Rat King’s curse, and the Nutcracker turned back into the Nephew, a handsome prince. The Prince invites Marie on a journey. First, they go through the Snowy Forest. They are led by Snow King and Queen. ACT TWO After they journey through the Snowy Forest, the Prince and Marie arrive in the Land of Enchantment. The Sugarplum Fairy and her Cavalier greet Marie and the Prince.
The Prince tells them about Marie’s courage and how she saved the Prince’s life in the battle against the Rat King. As a reward, the Sugarplum Fairy gives Marie a beautiful tiara. To say “thank you,” Marie and the Prince dance with the Flowers. Then the Grand Festival of Dancing begins. We see Spanish dancers who move with strength and flair… Chinese dancers with curling ribbons and a Chinese dragon... Arabian dancers who are very strong and very flexible! . . . and Russian dancers who jump high into the air! Then the Sugarplum Fairy and her Cavalier dance a pas de deux (a dance for two) together. When the Grand Festival comes to an end, the Land of Enchantment fades away… …and we are back at the Stahlbaum house in Shadyside on Christmas morning. Drosselmeyer and the Nephew are outside on the street.
Because of Marie’s love, she broke the Rat King’s curse. The Nephew’s mask has disappeared! Marie awakens in her room.
Was it all just a dream? She looks in her mirror and sees her faithful Nutcracker Prince. Credits
• All photos are of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Company dancers; all rights reserved. • All photos were taken by Rich Sofranko or Aimee DiAndrea; all rights reserved. • This storybook was created by the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Education Department; all rights reserved. • Distribution of this storybook or individual use of the photographs is expressly prohibited.