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Community Educational Entertainment

Pacific Festival Ballet's
The Nutcracker
Teacher's Guide for School Performances

Ballet Terminology: waltz, tutu, pas de deux, finalé

Look for

1. Clara's kitten(s) as she/they dance with the children

2. The children at the party dance a special dance with their gifts.

3. Clara receiving a special star to put at the top of the Christmas tree.

4. The life-size dolls each perform for the party guests.

Act I:
Scene 1: The Christmas Party

The curtain rises on the living room of Herr and Frau Silberhaus. It is Christmas Eve in the early 19th Century. The parents are putting the finishing touches on the tree as the Maid prepares for the guests. Their children, Clara and Fritz, are flushed with excitement as the guests arrive amid much gaiety. The mood changes briefly as a mysterious guest arrives with his young nephew, giving the children some fright until he reveals himself to be Herr Drosselmeyer (Clara's odd, but benevolent Uncle).

Drosselmeyer has magical powers and mesmerizes the children with his tricks. An exciting moment appears as a giant Christmas box is brought in and voilá -- life-like dolls perform for the enthralled guests. Clara and Fritz are delighted and wish to carry these toys off, but Father rules the toys are for the guests' pleasure.

Clara is disappointed and Fritz resorts to silliness... until... Uncle Drosselmeyer reveals the most special gift -- a finely carved wooden Nutcracker with a grotesque head but in the form of a Prince! It is for Clara, who immediately falls in love. Fritz, being a scamp, grabs it, throws it to the floor and breaks its head. Crushed, Clara rushes to her Uncle. He restores the Nutcracker, she and her friends cradle it with much tenderness.

The guests continue to enjoy the festivities -- some even a bit too much -- and the tired children and parents return home.

Look for:

1. What time is it when Drosselmeyer appears behind the clock?

2. What happens to the magical Christmas tree?

3. What happens to the first mouse?

4. What is special about the star on the Christmas tree?

Scene 2: The Spell

After Clara and Fritz are in bed, mysterious things begin to happen under the magical command of Herr Drosselmeyer. The mice become huge, the soldier dolls grow life-size and a battle begins between the two groups led by the mighty Rat King. Behold... the little wooden Nutcracker has grown man-size. 

As Clara enters the room to check her doll, a mighty battle ensues. She cheers on her beloved Nutcracker only to watch him be mortally wounded and fall lifeless to the ground. Clara rushes to him and, with her heart breaking, wills him back to life. Suddenly, he is transformed into a handsome young Prince who invites Clara to come with him to his Kingdom as a reward for saving his life.

Look for:

1. The beautiful Snow Queen and her attendants as they greet Clara and her Prince.

2. The magic of the snow as it begins to fall!

Scene 3: The Snow Scene

Clara and her Prince set out through a snow-covered forest, always under the watchful eye of Drosselmeyer, where Snow Fairies and Snowflakes dance around him. The Snow Queen blesses them and helps them along their journey.

Look for:

1. Angels greeting Clara and her Prince

2. Dancers dressed in long, beautiful pink tutus- Cotton Candy

3. Spanish dancers representing Chocolate.

4. Arabian dancers representing Coffee.

5. Chinese dancers representing Tea.

6. A very tall dancer with a surprise under her skirt!

7. Candy Cane dancers performing a difficult dance with hula-hoops

8. Five dancers in black tutus performing Licorice.

Act II:
Scene 1: Kingdom of the Sweets

The Sugar Plum Fairy, who crowns Clara and seats them on the honored thrones, greets Clara and her Prince at the Magic Castle.

The entertainment begins with the dances of the nations representing refreshments. Chocolate (Spanish)... Coffee (Arabian)... Tea (Chinese)... followed by an array of delectable sweets... culminating in the grand and most glorious Waltz of the Flowers, led by the Dew Drop Fairy and Cavalier and joined by the Sugar Plum Fairy, Clara and the Prince in a joyous finalé.

At the peak of Clara's happiness, however, the Sugar Plum Fairy calls for a final gesture of tribute and farewell... all the dolls disappear... the beloved Prince returns to a wooden doll and is gone!

Clara is left alone... bewildered and sad... until her Uncle appears and she realizes this was all a beautiful dream.

[ King and I ] [ Very Hungry Caterpillar ] [ Velveteen Rabbit ] [ Nutcracker ] [ Flat Stanley ] [ Shanghai Acrobats ] [ Scientific Circus ] [ Anne Frank ] [ Cinderella ]