O n the twenty-fourth of December, the Stahlbaum children were not allowed in the parlor, let alone the grand drawing room next to it. It was twilight, and soon the guests would be arriving. Fritz and Marie sat in the hallway outside the drawing room, trying to peek through the door's keyhole. Little Fritz whispered to his sister, telling her about the rustling and thudding noises he had heard behind the locked doors all day. Not so long ago, reported Fritz, he'd seen a man hurrying across the hall with a big box tucked under his arm, and he suspected it was Godfather Drosselmeier.
"Oh, I wonder what he's made for us this year!" cried Marie, clapping her hands excitedly.
The children's godfather was not a handsome man. He was thin, with a wrinkled face and a big black patch over one eye. Since he had lost all of his hair, he wore a white wig. But he was extremely clever. When Godfather Drosselmeier came to visit, he always brought the children a present like a little doll that could bow and move its eyes, or a bird that popped out of a box.
He always made them a very special Christmas gift. What would it be this time?
The children waited patiently in the hall. Finally, the doors swung open and there stood the most beautiful Christmas tree Marie had ever seen. It cast a warm glow over the arriving guests, while toy, drums trumpets, and bright red ribbons and bows tied to its green branches tempted the children's tiny fingers. The tree was also decorated with gold and silver apples, sugared almonds, and a hundred little lights that twinkled like stars.
The party was such fun. Marie and Fritz played games and marched with the other children, while Dr. and Mrs. Stahlbaum talked and laughed with the adult guests. The whole room danced. When Grandmother and Grandfather arrived, everyone opened presents. Marie was given dolls and other toys, while Fritz had a fine hobby-horse and a squadron of soldiers dressed in sharp, pressed uniforms. But their Godfather always gave the best gifts…
With the help of his nephew, Godfather Drosselmeier brought three large boxes into the parlor. Suddenly, life-sized dolls popped out of two of the boxes. A toy harlequin and columbine danced around the room and when they had finished, a soldier sprang from the third box. He marched around the parlor, turning swiftly and smoothly, and then to the guests' delight, he jumped high in the air and saluted.
After presenting his dancing dolls, Drosselmeier gathered the children and unveiled his gift, a wooden nutcracker. The Nutcracker was a curious little man with a rather odd shape, but he had a kind expression on his face. His large eyes were full of friendliness, and his near-white whiskers danced around a sweet smile on his red mouth. Marie loved him at once.
He worked hard, cracking walnuts for the party guests. Godfather Drosselmeier teased the children by offering tasty nuts and then quickly gobbling them up himself. Everyone sampled the treats then returned to their games.
The girls, adorned in their prettiest party dresses, arrayed themselves in front of the Christmas tree to cradle their new dolls. Marie rocked her new friend the Nutcracker in her gentle arms. Without warning, the boys charged at the group, sounding their brass horns and beating their toy drums.
Fritz seized the Nutcracker doll from his sister and shoved the biggest walnut he could find between its wooden teeth. Snap! The nut proved to be stronger than the poor fellow's jaw.
Marie sobbed as Godfather Drosselmeier wrapped Nutcracker's wounded jaw with his handkerchief. His thoughtful nephew presented Marie with a beautiful white iron bed in which the injured Nutcracker could rest. When it came time for her own bedtime, Marie begged her mother for just a few more minutes to sit with poor Nutcracker. Marie promptly fell asleep on the sofa, and when she awoke she was certain something was not quite right in the parlor. She heard faint rustling sounds all around her. The clock began whirring louder and louder. Marie felt scared. Then, to her alarm, she spotted Godfather Drosselmeier sitting on top of the clock.
"Oh, what are you doing up there Godfather?" cried Marie. "Come down! Don't frighten me so!"
The lights on the Christmas tree began to twinkle in a peculiar way. The tree seemed to be…yes, it was spreading its branches and reaching out. The beautiful tree was growing! Suddenly, Marie realized that everything in the parlor was getting bigger. Everything, that is, except for her. Even the Nutcracker and his bed had become life-size.
Now Marie heard squeaks and squeals and the sound of hundreds of little feet pattering all around her. Giant mice appeared everywhere, peeking out, popping about, and scurrying around the room. They drew up in ranks, like Fritz's soldiers, and sounded a great horn. A terrible mouse with seven heads entered the room. It wore seven sparkling crowns on its seven heads, and it wielded a mighty sword.But the Nutcracker had a sword, too. He and Fritz's battalion of soldiers had come to life and were ready for battle. The fighting was fierce. The Nutcracker's legions fired a cannon into the ranks of mice, but nothing could stop the furry animals.
The Nutcracker jousted with the nasty Mouse king and, just when he seemed to be losing the battle, Marie rushed to his aid. She took off her slipper and threw it at the Mouse King. While he was distracted the Nutcracker finished him off with a swift thrust of his sword. Marie fainted.
After slaying the Mouse King, the Nutcracker took a golden crown from one of the beast's heads. Holding the crown high, the wooden man was transformed into a handsome prince. Marie awoke as the prince placed the crown on her head, and he thanked her for saving his life. Hand in hand, the pair embarked on a magical journey to Konfituerenburg, the Land of the Sweets.
A beautiful women in shimmering gossamer welcomed Marie and the Prince to the Land of the Sweets. She was the Sugarplum Fairy, and her smile was as sweet as the cupcakes, candies and gumdrops that decorated her palace.
She ruled this magic kingdom with her handsome Cavalier. The Prince recounted the strange happenings in the Stahlbaums' parlor to the Fairy and her court.
He told them about the terrible Mouse King and Marie's help in defeating the nasty beast. The Sugarplum Fairy commended their bravery and decreed a celebration.
Marie and the Prince took seats in a place of honor to watch the wonders of The Land of the Sweets. Iced cakes, candy canes and ribbons of lace surrounded them.
Hot chocolate dancers led the celebration dressed in brown velvet and bouncing blue pom-poms. Next, Coffee flowed in the form of an Arabian beauty. Tea was a Chinaman who leapt high in the air.
Candy Canes held hoops high over their heads, and Marzipan Shepherdesses glided on their toes. Soft music from their reed flutes filled the chamber, but they left as quickly as the wind. What was the hurry? Who would be coming next?
A huge woman shaped like a jar! It was Mother Ginger, but where were the Polichinelles? Oh, no, look at her now, lifting up her skirt to reveal a dozen Polichinelles! The flowers entered, began to waltz, and Marie stared in amazement. In the center of the Flowers, a beautiful Dew Drop danced with grace.
The best, like dessert, was saved for last. The Sugarplum Fairy and her Cavalier danced the most beautiful pas de deux Marie had ever seen.
But the celebration was finished and Marie had to return home so that she could wake up in her own bed on Christmas morning. She said farewell to the Sugarplum Fairy and all the inhabitants of this fantasy land. Hand in hand, Marie and the Prince sailed away in a glittering magical boat.
The Nutcracker is based on the story by E.T.A. Hoffman "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King"
Photos by Alexander Iziliaev
George Balanchine's The Nutcracker™ © The George Balanchine Trust