Breaking the Nutcracker down into a play makes it even easier to understand.
First, the only difference between a play and a ballet is the lack of words being used in ballet.
The dancers are supposed to tell the story through facial expressions, pantomimes, and, of course, dance.
Second, if you know the basic storyline and the main characters, then the breakdown of the play into acts and scenes is really easy to understand.
So, here it is:
Act I: Scene 1
Christmas eve at a wealthy family's home
(usually the Stalhbaums' or the Mayor's home)
Act: Scene 1 Pre-Party
The children are excited over the decorations, presents, and the party that's about to begin.
There is usually a squabble or two between the girl
(usually called Clara, but sometimes Marie)
and her (usually younger) brother (Fritz).
Act I: Scene 1 Party
The family's friends and relatives, both young and old, greet each other.
A late and dramatic arrival of a toymaker-
Drosselmeir
(AKA: Herr Drosselmeir, Godfather/papa Drosselmeir, Uncle Drosselmeir)
entertains the guests with magic and life-size, animated toys made by the toymaker.
Drosselmeir gives Clara and Fritz a present.
Fritz is jealous over the soldier Nutcracker that his sister receives.
A fight ensues and the Nutcracker is damaged.
Drosselmeir bandages the Nutcracker and the children return to their respective friends.
The adults dance.
As everyone is saying goodnight, Clara is forced to leave her beloved Nutcracker behind as she goes to bed.
Act I: Scene 2
Midnight
Mice scurry around looking for treats.
(Apparently at this time in history (1800s), all homes- including the rich- had mice.)
Clara, in her nightgown, returns for her Nutcracker and is frightened by the mice.
Drosselmeir returns making everything magical.
The mice (who become life-size and stand upright) take away all of the Christmas decorations and gifts.
The Nutcracker (who also becomes life-size and alive) commands an army of animated, life-size soldiers to fight the mice and their very large leader.
As the Nutcracker lays on the ground about to be harmed by the Mouse (King or Queen), Clara comes to his rescue and distracts the Mouse (King or Queen) (by either throwing a shoe or pulling the tail).
This gives the Nutcracker an advantage and he kills the Mouse (King or Queen).
The Nutcracker is released from a magical spell and he becomes a prince.
Act I: Scene 3
Snow
The Nutcracker Prince takes Clara on a magical journey that begins in the land of snow where dancing snowflakes come alive, including a Snowflake Queen who is often escorted.
Act II: Scene 1
Angels
Angels, lead by the Dew Drop Fairy
(or sometimes by the Sugar Plum Fairy),
announce the arrival of Clara and the Prince to the Land of Sweets.
Act II: Scene 2
Clara and the Prince tell their magical story in the Land of Sweets
(and are often made honorary rulers)
as they watch dancers from the different countries
(Arabia, China, France, Spain, and Russia),
as well as,
Mother Ginger
(similar to "The Old Woman in the Shoe" and usually played in drag)
and,
dancing flowers.
After all the dancing is done, Clara and the Prince say good-bye to the Land of Sweets.
Act II: Scene 3
This is an optional addition to the ballet.
Often, Clara wakes and finds everything is a dream.
Sometimes, Clara finds that the Nutcracker Prince was a guest at her party or is the nephew of Drosselmeir.
.
First, the only difference between a play and a ballet is the lack of words being used in ballet.
The dancers are supposed to tell the story through facial expressions, pantomimes, and, of course, dance.
Second, if you know the basic storyline and the main characters, then the breakdown of the play into acts and scenes is really easy to understand.
So, here it is:
Act I: Scene 1
Christmas eve at a wealthy family's home
(usually the Stalhbaums' or the Mayor's home)
Act: Scene 1 Pre-Party
The children are excited over the decorations, presents, and the party that's about to begin.
There is usually a squabble or two between the girl
(usually called Clara, but sometimes Marie)
and her (usually younger) brother (Fritz).
Act I: Scene 1 Party
The family's friends and relatives, both young and old, greet each other.
A late and dramatic arrival of a toymaker-
Drosselmeir
(AKA: Herr Drosselmeir, Godfather/papa Drosselmeir, Uncle Drosselmeir)
entertains the guests with magic and life-size, animated toys made by the toymaker.
Drosselmeir gives Clara and Fritz a present.
Fritz is jealous over the soldier Nutcracker that his sister receives.
A fight ensues and the Nutcracker is damaged.
Drosselmeir bandages the Nutcracker and the children return to their respective friends.
The adults dance.
As everyone is saying goodnight, Clara is forced to leave her beloved Nutcracker behind as she goes to bed.
Act I: Scene 2
Midnight
Mice scurry around looking for treats.
(Apparently at this time in history (1800s), all homes- including the rich- had mice.)
Clara, in her nightgown, returns for her Nutcracker and is frightened by the mice.
Drosselmeir returns making everything magical.
The mice (who become life-size and stand upright) take away all of the Christmas decorations and gifts.
The Nutcracker (who also becomes life-size and alive) commands an army of animated, life-size soldiers to fight the mice and their very large leader.
As the Nutcracker lays on the ground about to be harmed by the Mouse (King or Queen), Clara comes to his rescue and distracts the Mouse (King or Queen) (by either throwing a shoe or pulling the tail).
This gives the Nutcracker an advantage and he kills the Mouse (King or Queen).
The Nutcracker is released from a magical spell and he becomes a prince.
Act I: Scene 3
Snow
The Nutcracker Prince takes Clara on a magical journey that begins in the land of snow where dancing snowflakes come alive, including a Snowflake Queen who is often escorted.
Act II: Scene 1
Angels
Angels, lead by the Dew Drop Fairy
(or sometimes by the Sugar Plum Fairy),
announce the arrival of Clara and the Prince to the Land of Sweets.
Act II: Scene 2
Clara and the Prince tell their magical story in the Land of Sweets
(and are often made honorary rulers)
as they watch dancers from the different countries
(Arabia, China, France, Spain, and Russia),
as well as,
Mother Ginger
(similar to "The Old Woman in the Shoe" and usually played in drag)
and,
dancing flowers.
After all the dancing is done, Clara and the Prince say good-bye to the Land of Sweets.
Act II: Scene 3
This is an optional addition to the ballet.
Often, Clara wakes and finds everything is a dream.
Sometimes, Clara finds that the Nutcracker Prince was a guest at her party or is the nephew of Drosselmeir.
.
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