Dayton Performing Arts Alliance

Event Guide

Table of Contents

Program

Cast

Synopsis

Production/Artistic Team

About the Artists

The Nutcracker

Dayton Ballet

Program

Karen Russo Burke, choreographer
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, composer
Brandon Ragland, Artistic Director
Neal Gittleman, conductor
Dayton Ballet
Dayton Ballet School Ensemble
Dayton Ballet School
Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra

Act I: In the Silberhaus Home

Dream Scene

- INTERMISSION -

Act II: Land of Sweets

Cast

Synopsis

ACT ONE

The story opens in the foyer of the Silberhaus home. Clara and Fritz are anxiously waiting for the holiday festivities to begin. Their cook has prepared many beautiful and exotic desserts from countries all over the world, and friends will be arriving soon.

One of their guests is Clara and Fritz’s mysterious Uncle Drosselmeyer, who they meet for the first time. However, they have heard he is wonderfully charming and magical.

The party finally begins with dancing for both parents and children. Uncle Drosselmeyer brings very special gifts to the party, such as beautiful large dolls that he magically commands to dance. However, the most enchanting gift he brings is a doll called the Nutcracker. Clara immediately falls in love with it. Fritz becomes jealous and tries to snatch the Nutcracker from Clara but accidentally drops it instead. Drosselmeyer quickly mends Clara’s Nutcracker.

After the guests depart, it is time for the Silberhaus family to retire. Clara would desperately love to take her Nutcracker to bed with her, but Mother and Father suggest she keep it under the tree.

At night, Clara sneaks out of bed to retrieve her Nutcracker, but while she is near the tree, the grandfather clock strikes 12, scaring her. All of a sudden, the living room is filled with rats. She is frightened and jumps onto a chair for refuge. Magically, Drosselmeyer appears and dismisses the rats. The house suddenly begins to grow and change shape. Clara is in awe of the new surroundings. To her amazement, Fritz’s toy soldiers appear from the giant tree and battle the rat led by the mean Rat King. To come to her defense, her beloved Nutcracker, who has become lifelike, battles the Rat King. When it looks as though the Nutcracker is about to be defeated, Clara throws her slipper, striking the Rat King dead. As his rat minions drag their leader away, Clara turns to see that the Nutcracker has transformed into a dashing soldier, and Drosselmeyer leads them on an adventurous journey.

Through the large doors and into the snow forest, Clara, the Nutcracker, and Uncle Drosselmeyer are met by the Snow King and Queen. There, they experience the wonders of the winter snow. The Snow King and Queen present them with a beautiful sled, and Drosselmeyer sends them off to continue their exciting journey to the Land of Sweets.

ACT TWO

As Clara and the Nutcracker arrive in the Land of Sweets, they meet the beautiful Sugar Plum Fairy, her Cavalier, and their Attendants. Each Attendant holds a flag representing all the kingdom’s delicious desserts. After hearing about Clara and the Nutcracker’s adventures with the Rat King, the Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier ask them to be their guests. The spectacular divertissements award them a beautiful dessert and a dance. Clara and the Nutcracker meet so many wonderful people. As the evening draws to an end, Drosselmeyer appears. This magical journey is like a dream—when she opens her eyes, she finds herself back at home. She wonders about her unusual Uncle Drosselmeyer. Was his magic a part of this fantasy, or was it all a dream?