Artistic Director | Christopher Stuart
Choreography | George Balanchine
Associate Artistic Director | Roger Van Fleteren
Composer | Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Music performed by | Alabama Symphony Orchestra
Conductor | Carlos Izcaray
Balanchine Trust Répétiteur | Darla Hoover
Guest Principal Coach | Luiza Boaventura
Flowers Stager | Caitlin McAvoy Hardman
Production Manager | David Page
Company & Production Stage Manager | Joelle Tucker
Costume Director | Wendy Gamble
Lighting Designer | Kelly Allison
Technical Manager | MaK Eddins
Costume Design | Betty Smith, after Karinska
Community Cast Coordinator | Natalie Hunt
Community Cast Coach | Ethan Epstein

Costume Assistants | Tara Penkowsky, Leigh Murphree

Production Assistants | Damian & Kyle Jones

ACT I

It’s a snowy Christmas Eve at the Stahlbaum home, and Dr. and Frau Stahlbaum and their children, Marie and Fritz, are welcoming their guests to a holiday party. There are games and girls for the children and dancing for everyone. Marie’s beloved godfather, Herr Drosselmeier, introduces her to his young nephew and gives her a wonderful present: a handsome wooden Nutcracker. After the party, Marie falls asleep on the sofa with her Nutcracker. Suddenly, she sits up — something is not right. Out of nowhere, giant mice scurry into the room, and the Christmas tree begins to grow higher and higher until it towers over Marie. Everything in the room disappears except for Fritz’s toy soldiers and the Nutcracker — all now as big as Marie. The Nutcracker leads the toy soldiers into battle with the mice, and Marie helps him by throwing her slipper at the fierce Mouse King who the Nutcracker then slays. Now that the Mouse King is dead, an ancient spell has been broken, and the Nutcracker is transformed into a handsome prince. As he presents Marie with the Mouse King’s crown, she recognizes him as Herr Drosselmeier’s nephew. The children enter a beautiful forest where the snowflakes dance a lovely waltz and guide Marie and the Prince toward the Christmas Star.

ACT II

Marie and the Prince arrive in the Land of Sweets and are greeted by the beautiful Sugarplum Fairy and all the other inhabitants of her realm. The Prince tells the story of the battle with the mice, describing how Marie helped him defeat the Mouse King. Everyone is delighted that the Prince and Marie are safe, and the Sugarplum Fairy leads them to a glittering throne where they enjoy cakes and candies. Everyone dances for the two children: Hot Chocolate from Spain, Chinese Tea, Coffee from Arabia, the Candy Canes, the Marzipan Shepherdesses, and Mother Ginger, with her eight little polichinelles. Then comes the Waltz of the Flowers with a shimmering Dewdrop dancing among the lovely blooms. Finally, the Sugarplum Fairy returns with her Cavalier to perform an enchanting dance. It’s time for Marie and the Prince to say goodbye. Everyone returns to bid them farewell, and they soar on in a sleigh pulled by flying reindeer.

Mary Goodrich
Director of Development

Chloe Bowen
PR & Marketing Manager

Michele Swader
Office Manager

Margaret Wendorf
Finance Manager

Natalie Hunt
Director of Operations, Alabama Ballet School

Isabella Cowles, ARAD RTS
Director of Curriculum, Alabama Ballet School