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The Nutcracker is perhaps the classic ballet for children. It is an
annual ritual for American children as for children in other country's as well. Not
only does the story and action appeal to children, but there are many exciting
roles for both boys and girls. Many such as the children in the opening party
scene are suitable for children without extensive dance training. Other roles are
much more demanding.
The Nutcracker Ballet is based on the book called The Nutcracker
and the Mouse King written by E.T.A. Hoffman. In 1891, the legendary
choreographer Marius Petipa commissioned Tchaikovsky to write the music for
the Nutcracker Ballet. In 1892, the first showing of the Nutcracker took place at
the Mariinsky Theater of Russia, home of the Kirov Ballet.
The holiday fairy tale called The Nutcracker Ballet is based on the story
The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. What is seen on the stage today
has changed much from the original story of a little girl named Marie in a loveless
household fighting bloody battles against a mouse king with seven heads. When
Marius Petipa had the idea to choreograph the story into a play, it was actually
based on the book that had been revised by Alexander Dumas. His version
reflects more of what we have come to love as the Nutcracker Ballet.
It is Christmas Eve at the Stahlbaum house--A large and grand house with
the most beautiful tree imaginable. The Stahlbaums are having their annual
Christmas party and everyone is arriving. The children, Fritz and Clara, are so
excited and welcome their friends to come join in play and dancing.
As the party begins to get going, Fritz and Clara's godfather Herr
Drosselmeyer arrives. He is always full of surprises. Drosselmeyer presents two
life-size dancing dolls to the delight of the party, adults included.
The children begin to open gifts and Drosselmeyer presents his to Fritz and
Clara. Although his gift to Fritz is quite nice, his gift to Clara, a beautiful
Nutcracker is the hit of the party. Fritz being a bit jealous and with a bit more
spunk than a boy should have, grabs the nutcracker from Clara and promptly
breaks it. Clara is heartbroken and Drosselmeyer knows it. He attempts to
repair the Nutcracker and hands it back to Clara. Soon the guest depart and the
family goes to bed. But Clara, worried about her beloved Nutcracker, sneaks
back to the tree to check on him, where strange things begin to happen.
As the tree grows, the room fills with mice, lead by the mighty Mouse King.
The Nutcracker comes to life and engages the mice in battle. Although he
summons his soldiers, he cannot stop the mighty Mouse King. The Mouse King
captures Clara as the soldiers seem helplessly outnumbered. The Nutcracker
can go on no longer and is also captured. Clara makes a final daring blow to the
Mouse King and the Mouse King goes down. The mice all swarm off as they
mourn their leader.
The Nutcracker turns into a prince and sets Clara out on a journey to a land
of snow and enchanted forests where she is welcomed by dancing Snowflakes.
In the land of sweets, Clara receives a celebration of dances: The Spanish
Dance, The Chinese Dance, The Mirliton Dance, and The Waltz of Flowers. As
a finale the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Cavalier dance a Pas De Deux.
Clara awakes from her dream and finds herself by the tree with her beloved
Nutcracker.
The music of the Nutcracker Ballet. Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky composes one
of the most renowned ballets ever. Born in the Ural mountains of Russia, he
dedicated his life to music. 1850 to 1859, he attended the school of
Jurisprudence and studied piano. In 1861, he attended classes with the Russian
Music Society. In 1862, he entered the Saint Petersburg Conservatory.
Beginning in 1866, Tchaikovsky taught at the Moscow Conservatory while
composing many of his concertos and
symphonies. In 1892, Tchaikovsky composed the Nutcracker.
Companies in preparation for the annual holiday presentation of The
Nutcracker make an announcement like the following:
Fri. Sept. 11Young students of ballet (7 & older) try out to turn into angels or
soldiers, candy violets or gingerbreads in Ballet
Theater of Annapolis' Nutcracker, to be danced Dec. 5 & 6, 12 & 13 - after
many rehearsals. Jacks in the box (44-53 inches tall) try out from 4-5 ˇ boys
5-5:30 soldiers (53-58 inches tall) 5:30-6:30 ˇ cherubs (50-60 inches tall) 6-7
angels and candy violets (w/ at least 3 years pointe training) 7:30-8:30 mice and
gingerbreads (5 feet+)
8:30-9:30. Girls wear black leotards and pink tights; boys black tights and white
Ts. Come w/chaperon half hour early.
Boys are always needed to perform in fancy suits in the opening party scene
of "The Nutcracker". It is the scene in which boys most commonly participate in
the ballet. Usually they wear velvet suits with large white collars. Their pants
vary from shorts to longs, but usually are knicker length. Often at least one boy
wears a sailor suits. Usually the outfits vary more than the group pictured here.
America is not known as a country which especially appreciates ballet. Virtually every American kid today knows about the Nutcracker and in many families, attending an annual mperformance of the Nutcracker is a family tradition. Even those who do not attend an actual performance are exposed to the famed Tchaikovsky ballet. The music is played every where, from shopping malls to supermarkets. And of cour there are TV commercials and TV performances of the Nutcracker. The ballet is perfect for children. Not only do children lovel all the great characters, but there are numerous roles for children at all levels of abilities from beginners to accomplished dancers. (As one writer explains, the Nutcracker features "toddlers beside ballerinas and ponte shoes next to mouse paws". [Fisher]
Quite a few movies have been made of the The Nutcracker.
New York City Ballet Starring: Darce Kistler, Damian Woetzel, Kyra
Nichols, Bart Robinson Cook, Macaulay Culkin and Jessica Lynn Cohen.
Choreography: George Balanchine
This new production of "The Nutcracker," created by the director of the
Sadler's's Well's Royal Ballet, captures all the magic of this holiday classic.
Starring: Natalya Arkhipova, Bolshoi Ballet, et al.
Starring Mikhail Baryshnikov.
Performed by the Kiev Ballet .
Pacific Northwest Ballet Starring: Hugh Bigney, Vanessa Sharp, Patricia
Barker, Wake Walthall and Russel Burnet.
Fisher, Jennifer. Nutcracker Nation: How an Old World Ballet Became a Christmas Tradition in the New World.
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