The Nutcracker Music  Tchaikovsky Choreography  Lev Ivanov Libretto  Marius Petipa Story  Alexander Dumas based on German Tale by E.T.A. Hoffman First Performance at Maryinsky Theater in St. Petersburg Russia 1892 Condensed story version for Caston Chamber Ballet adapted by Torris & Shannon Caston 2004 Choreography Torris Caston & Shannon Caston, Larry Long's Marzipan & Lev Ivanov's Sugar Plum Many years ago the Silberhaus family gave a big Christmas party.  Marie and her brother Fritz are so excited they can hardly wait for it to begin.  When the guests finally arrive, all the children race into the room to see the beautiful Christmas tree and all the presents.  At the party the children dance an energetic march. Marie’s cousins do a pretty party dance, and finally the parents dance a lovely waltz.  All of a sudden the party stops, a special guest had arrived, it is Marie’s Godfather Drosslmeyer the famous toymaker.  Because he is old and rather strange the other children are frightened of him, but Marie is nice to him because she knows that even though he is odd he is her loving godfather.   Drosselmeyer introduces his nephew to Marie.   Then Marie asks godfather Drosselmeyer for some magic.  First he brings out the Kissing doll then the Soldier Doll.  His wind-toys seem so real.  Drosselmeyer had a special present  for Marie, it is a Nutcracker.  Fritz is jealous and breaks Marie’s new present.   Godfather Drosselmeyer wraps the Nutcracker’s head with a bandage, tells the guests goodbye as it is very late and the other guests leave the party too. Marie cannot sleep, she is worried about her Nutcracker, she tiptoes downstairs to check on him and falls asleep.  When she wakes up the familiar room is mysteriously different.  She notices that mice are stealing her presents!  Marie is very frightened but when the mice try to steal her nutcracker Marie tries to stop them but the mice circle around her.  Then Godfather Drosselmeyer enters the room and turns the nutcracker doll to life!  The Nutcracker Doll saves Marie from the robber mice and brings the toy soldiers into battle.  Although he fights bravely, the Nutcracker stumbles under the Mouse King’s ferocious attack.  Desperate to save him, Marie takes off her slipper and throws it at the mouse King.  The startled Mouse turns around to attack Marie and in that instant the Nutcracker grabs his sword and hits the Mouse King with his sword saving Marie.  The Nutcracker transforms back into a Prince, takes the magic crown off the Mouse King’s head and places the crown on Marie’s head. The prince leads Marie though the forest of thesSnow flakes.  Marie and the Prince journey up to the clouds and are greeted by beautiful angels and the Sugar Plum Fairy. Finally Marie and the Prince make it to his castle in the clouds and they are greeted by the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier.  The Sugar Plum Fairy thanks Marie for saving their Prince and in her honor they declare a celebration.  Spanish Chocolate, Arabian Coffee, Chinese Tea, Russian Peppermint, French Marzipan,  Little Bo Peep, and a Lovely bouquet of flowers with the dew drop fairy.   Finally the Sugar Plum Fairy and her cavalier dance a beautiful finale to the wonderful celebration! Marie loves the pretty party in honor of her courage and steps down from the throne thanks the entertainers and takes the Prince’s hand as they set off together to explore the future.