It is Christmas Eve, and families make their way to the lively Christmas party hosted by Mrs. Stahlbaum and her children, Marie and Fritz.

The party is already alive with music and dancing when Uncle Drosselmeyer arrives, bringing his magic and extraordinary gifts. The children eagerly gather as Drosselmeyer stages a puppet show, telling the story of a great battle between the Nutcracker Prince and the Mouse King. Afterwards, the children watch in awe as his magic wand brings mechanical dolls to life. Their wonder grows as they beg Drosselmeyer for one more surprise. Finally, he unveils his most enchanting creation yet: the Nutcracker Doll.

Marie is immediately captivated by the Nutcracker’s charm, cradling it protectively. Fritz, however, feels differently. He rushes over, trying to grab the doll from her hands. The siblings struggle, pulling it back and forth, until—whether out of mischief or frustration—Fritz yanks it hard, and the Nutcracker breaks. Marie is devastated, but Uncle Drosselmeyer reassures her as he carefully mends the toy, restoring it to its former state.

As the party winds down, the families return to their homes, tired but happy. Yet Marie cannot forget the Nutcracker. Just before midnight, she sneaks back to the parlor to check on her cherished doll. Suddenly, mice begin to fill the darkness, creeping toward her Nutcracker. Marie tries to protect it, but the room transforms as Drosselmeyer’s magic descends. The Christmas tree grows to an enormous size, and the Nutcracker leaps to his feet, ready to face the danger.

A fierce battle occurs between the Nutcracker and the Mouse King, with the toy soldiers rallying to his side. In the end, the Nutcracker triumphs, but the curse that binds him is not lifted by victory alone. It is Marie’s love—her ability to see beyond his appearance and cherish the soul within—that finally breaks the spell. Transformed, the Nutcracker is free to become a Prince once more.

Marie and the Prince rejoice as the first Christmas snow sweeps them away to a distant, magical land.

- INTERMISSION - 

After traveling through the forest, Marie and the Prince arrive in a magical land ruled by the Sugar Plum Queen. Marie is delighted to see Uncle Drosselmeyer there and runs to greet him. Drosselmeyer introduces them to the Queen and her enchanting kingdom. The Queen, charmed by the Prince’s love to Marie, gifts her a bridal dress for their wedding.

As the Queen and Drosselmeyer bless their union, a mouse suddenly scurries onto the scene and provokes a fight with the Prince. The Sugar Plum Queen quickly intervenes, settling the matter once and for all by offering the mouse a delicious piece of cheese. Overjoyed with his gift, the mouse forgets all about his lost tail.

With peace restored, the festivities begin. Colorful dances representing different parts of the world delight the royal couple and their guests. Mother Ginger, a beloved figure in the kingdom, summons her best elves to prepare delicious ginger cupcakes for the occasion. The Waltz of the Flowers, led by Sugar Plum and Drosselmeyer, transforms the palace into a fragrant wonderland, framing the royal couple’s grand wedding dance.

As the celebration reaches its peak, the guests swirl around the pair in a final joyful tribute before fading into the night.

The next morning, Marie awakens in her own house, filled with wonder and confusion. “Was it real, or was it all a dream…?” she asks herself. When Drosselmeyer enters the room, she pleads with him for answers. To her astonishment, he presents her with the Prince from her dream, now standing before her with the royal crown in his hands.

Dreams, like love, have the power to cross worlds—proving that what we dare to believe, we can make real.

ACT I

Marie – Jane Weymouth

Nutcracker Prince – Cole Lessard

Uncle Drosselmeyer - Guillermo Franco

Mrs. Stahlbaum (Marie & Fritz' Mom) - Shannon Thurston

Fritz – José Porras

Kissing Doll – Dayna Hernández Facundo (Friday evening, Saturday matinée), Sara Ivanna Luna Barrera (Saturday evening, Sunday matinée)

Harlequin Dolls - Maria Parker, Anevay Downs / Meredith Potvin, Dalyah Van Deveter / Karina Fuller, Elizabeth Pfleging / Tiger Haiss, Miriam Jones

Nutcracker Doll – Kagetora Takagi

Party Girls – Dayna Hernández (Saturday evening, Sunday matinée) / Sara Ivanna Luna Barrera (Friday evening, Saturday matinée), Maddison Goode, Paloma Killoran, Sofía Ferzuli (Friday evening, Saturday matinée) /Sofía Bella (Saturday evening, Sunday matinée)

Parents – Arielle Costello, Samantha Peabody, Greg Wiers, John Buys

Maids – Alma Garaboa, Cristina Rodríguez

Mouse King – Sara Ivanna Luna Barrera (Friday evening, Saturday matinée) / Paloma Killoran (Saturday evening, Sunday matinée)

Mice – Sara Ivanna Luna Barrera (Saturday evening, Sunday matinée) / Paloma Killoran (Friday evening, Saturday matinée), Dayna Hernández, Maddison Goode, Sofía Ferzuli, Sofía Bella (Friday evening, Saturday matinée) / Olivia Feldbausch (Saturday evening, Sunday matinée) 

Soldiers – Maria Parker, Anevay Downs, Meredith Potvin, Tiger Haiss, Dalyah Van Deventer, Karina Fuller, Elizabeth Pfleging, Miriam Jones

Snowflakes – Dayna Hernández Facundo, Sara Ivanna Luna Barrera, Paloma Killoran, Sofía Ferzuli.

Little Snowflakes – Maria Parker, Anevay Downs, Meredith Potvin, Tiger Haiss, Dalyah Van Deventer, Elizabeth Pfleging, Karina Fuller, Miriam Jones

ACT II

Marie – Jane Weymouth 

Nutcracker Prince – Cole Lessard

Sugar Plum Queen - Sara Ivanna Luna Barrera (Friday evening, Saturday matinée ) / Dayna Hernández Facundo (Saturday evening, Sunday Matinée )

Uncle Drosselmeyer - Guillermo Franco

Russian Trepak Variation – Maddison Goode, Paloma Killoran, Sofía Ferzuli.

Chinese Variation Soloist – Kagetora Takagi

Chinese Ensemble - Meredith Potvin, Tiger Haiss, Dalyah Van Deventer, Elizabeth Pfleging, Karina Fuller, Miriam Jones.

French Variation – Anevay Downs, María Parker.

Arabian Variation – Sara Ivanna Luna Barrera (Saturday evening, Sunday matinée) / Dayna Hernández Facundo (Friday evening, Saturday matinée)

Arabian Escort – José Porras, Kagetora Takagi.

Mother Ginger - John Buys

Elves – Maria Parker, Anevay Downs, Meredith Potvin, Tiger Haiss, Dalyah Van Deveter, Karina Fuller, Elizabeth Pfleging, Miriam Jones.

Ginger Cupcakes – Mila Quincey, Shira Van Deventer, Aviana Curtis, Alice Brownell (Saturday matinée, Sunday matinée / Alina Jlang (Friday evening, Saturday evening).

Waltz Flowers – Dayna Hernández Facundo / Sara Ivanna Luna Barrera, Paloma Killoran, Maddison Goode, Sofía Ferzuli, Sofía Bella, Olivia Feldbausch.

Waltz Cavaliers – José Porras, Kagetora Takagi

Mouse reprise – John Buys

Our adult performers:

Shannon Thurston, Arielle Costello, Samantha Peabody, Johnny Buys & Greg Wiers, for sharing the stage with our dancers.

Our Costume Seamstress: Amy Thurston. 

-   Waterville Opera House   -

Michelle Sweet, Executive Director

Erik Thomas, Assistant Executive Director

Juniper Purinton, Production Manager/Lighting

- * - * -

N. Blake Bartlett

Mike Fendler & Melinda Loveitt

Bonnie & Anothony Edith

Mr. David Pearson, MCI Head of School

Guillermo Franco, BBT Program Manager

Christopher Lyons & MCI’s Maintenance Department

Dana Fehnel, Dorm Director

BBT's 'Friends of the Ballet'

BBT parents and families

A special thanks to our talented Artistic Director, Natalya Getman, without whom none of this would be possible.

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