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The inspiration for The Nutcracker ballet comes from a tale by E. T. A. Hoffmann titled The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, first published in Germany in 1816. It was a dark Gothic fairy tale that Tchaikovsky initially thought was unsuitable for ballet. However, in 1890, he was given the opportunity to compose a ballet based on a French adaptation of the tale by Alexandre Dumas, titled Casse-Noisette.
Completed in the spring of 1892, The Nutcracker premiered on December 18, 1892, at the Maryinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia. The initial reaction was lukewarm, and the press was hostile. Tchaikovsky wrote to his brother on December 22:
“This is the fourth day on which the periodicals have been carving up my latest creations... It is not the first time. The abuse does not annoy me at all, and yet — as always under these circumstances — I am in a hateful state of mind.”
Eventually, audiences came to appreciate the magic of the production. Since the 1954 revival by the New York City Ballet under the direction of George Balanchine, The Nutcracker has become a beloved holiday tradition. It continues to grow in popularity and is performed annually by countless ballet companies, many of which add their own unique spin to the classic tale.
It’s the night before Christmas, and a lively party is underway at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Sturbaum. Their daughter Clara eagerly greets the guests as they arrive. Her favorite uncle, Drosselmeyer, appears in disguise and brings four mechanical dolls that magically spring to life, dance, and then stop just as suddenly.
But the most exciting gift is yet to come — a beautifully crafted Nutcracker. All the children are enchanted by it, but Uncle Drosselmeyer gives it to Clara, his favorite niece, who is thrilled to receive such a special present.
After the guests leave and the family goes to bed, Uncle Drosselmeyer returns and conjures a magical dream for Clara. In this dream world, a fierce battle erupts between a monstrous Rat King, his army of mice, and the dolls.
Clara awakens in fear, but Drosselmeyer transforms her Nutcracker into a life-sized toy soldier. He summons Fritz’s Toy Soldiers to join the fight, and with the help of a giant mousetrap, the Nutcracker defeats the Rat King.
With the Rat King defeated and peace restored, Drosselmeyer transforms the Nutcracker into a handsome Cavalier. He takes Clara on a magical journey that begins in the sparkling Land of Snow.
Clara and the Prince arrive in a magical garden, where Seraphim, Angels, and Attendants prepare to welcome them. They are greeted by the Sugar Plum Fairy, who has arranged a special celebration of dance in their honor.
When the celebration ends, Drosselmeyer gently ends the dream and returns Clara to the safety of her home. Though the dream is over, its magic will stay with her forever.
The Festival Ballet of North Central Texas is a vibrant company with a broad reach. Beginning in 1988, Festival Ballet’s The Nutcracker has become a holiday tradition in Denton. The aim of the Festival Ballet is to provide a professional, quality performing experience for its 150-plus cast members and its 2,000-plus audience members.
The Festival Ballet features dancers from more than 30 communities across the north Texas region, along with talented performers from across the United States and Europe. We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to the local dance schools that contribute to the Festival Ballet, and to the dedicated teachers who send their exceptional students to enrich our performances and make them truly enchanting.
