ACT I 

During the autumn of 1897, Clara Stahlbaum and her favorite Uncle Drosselmeyer visit the Tennessee Centennial Exposition at the Parthenon. Clara is entranced by the magic of the fair and inspired by the many cultures she encounters there. Drosselmeyer, who is a magician, entertains Clara with tricks. He presents her with a beautiful Nutcracker from a German toymaker, but then makes it disappear! Two months later, several families pass through Shelby Bottoms on their way to a holiday party at the Stahlbaums’ home. The area has frozen over and ice skaters move gracefully (and not so gracefully) across the ice. Drosselmeyer appears carrying many gifts for Clara and the other children at the party. His handsome young assistant, who is visiting for the holidays, assists him. At the Stahlbaum home, Clara and her brother, Fritz, eagerly wait outside the parlor door for their first view of the beautifully lit Christmas tree. Just before their governess opens the door to let them in, Fritz surprises Clara with a mouse! Guests arrive at the party, give gifts, and dance to celebrate the holiday season.  

When Drosselmeyer and his assistant arrive, Drosselmeyer performs his magic tricks and presents his life-sized dolls for the guests. Drosselmeyer saves the best gift of all for Clara—the Nutcracker doll that she saw at the Centennial Exposition! In a jealous fit, Fritz grabs the Nutcracker and breaks it, but Drosselmeyer uses his magic to repair the Nutcracker. After an evening of holiday festivities, the guests bid farewell and the Stahlbaums go to bed, leaving the Nutcracker by the fireplace. The Stahlbaum parlor is dim and quiet. The peace is suddenly disturbed by several baby mice, followed by medium mice, and large mice. Clara gets out of bed and goes downstairs looking for her new gift. She takes the Nutcracker to the couch and falls asleep. She is startled awake by the Mouse King, who steals the Nutcracker from her. Drosselmeyer appears and Clara tearfully explains to him what happened. Drosselmeyer reassures her and begins to perform his magic. Suddenly the parlor disappears, and the Christmas tree begins to grow. The Nutcracker appears and he, too, has grown! 

His army of frontiersmen, cavalry, and toy soldiers fight a fierce battle against the mice while the Nutcracker duels with the Mouse King. Just as it appears the Mouse King will get the better of the Nutcracker, Clara distracts him by hitting him with her shoe. Thanks to her help, the Nutcracker is able to win the battle! Frightened by Drosselmeyer’s powers, the mice scurry away and the Nutcracker reappears as a handsome prince. The Nutcracker Prince takes Clara on a wonderful journey. As they travel through a crystal wonderland that looks just like the magical mica stone Clara saw at the exposition, they come upon a Snow Queen and King. Beautiful snowflakes dance in the sparkling palace until the Snow Queen and King send Clara and the Prince onto their next adventure. 

ACT II 

On their journey, Clara and the Nutcracker Prince stop in the Parthenon Garden, where they encounter the garden fairies and their queen, the Dew Drop Fairy. The Dew Drop Fairy and the Nutcracker Prince, along with the flowers of the forest, dance a beautiful waltz for Clara. After leaving the Parthenon Garden, Clara and the Nutcracker Prince arrive in a land of magic, the Kingdom of the Sugar Plum Fairy. The Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier welcome Clara and introduce visitors from other lands, who look like those Clara saw at the Centennial Exposition. The Spanish, Chinese, Eastern, and Russian visitors each greet Clara with a dance. She also meets a Shepherdess and Shepherd, as well as Madame Bonbonniere and her colorful bon bons. The Sugar Plum Fairy and the Cavalier dance for Clara, who then boards a magical flower carriage for her trip home. Drosselmeyer appears and transforms the Nutcracker Prince back into the Nutcracker doll and places the doll into Clara’s arms. As the curtain falls, the magical flower carriage is transformed, and 

Clara is fast asleep on the couch in her parlor.