Nutcracker Winter Recital

The scene opens on New Year’s Eve in 1892, almost 1893, on a blustery winter night. Snowflakes fall in a whimsical dance as they paint a frosty scene of white. The townspeople rush around for their last of year purchases. Children throw balls of snow and the Christmas trees are being taken to the bins. Every roof in town is covered in a soft blanket of snow, windows gleaming from the fire light; joy and laughter fill the air as people wait to ring in the New Year.

We focus into the Stahlbaum’s windows to see Mrs. Stahlbaum and her Maid rushing around preparing the house for the annual New Years Eve party. Mr. Stahlbaum and Fritz are taking down the Christmas tree ornaments, as Clara helps by wrapping each one delicately to put them away for a long winter’s sleep. Her adored Christmas gift, The Nutcracker, is left on the fireplace, to stay safe, and not be mistaken for Christmas decor.

Fritz, being the troublemaker he is, decides he is not suited for this dull task and he begins to joke and jumps around with Clara, breaking one of the family’s exquisite Christmas ornaments! Mrs. Stahlbaum stomps and yells. Mr. Stahlbaum sends the children for a time out, leaving the broken shards for the Maid.

While the maid was cleaning her mind started to wander and she started to dance. To her surprise, Mrs. Stahlbaum catches her and scolds her for her silliness! “The Time! The guests will be here any minute!” she shouts.

Suddenly, a mysterious figure appears at the entrance! The Stahlbaums and the Maid all cower together and tremble with fear, who could be at their door?! *Poof*

Drosselmeyer appears! Behind him his wife, Aunt Elizabeth, and their children, along with The VanKleefs and the Apprentice with his family. The groups come together for a greeting excited for the fun and joy that is yet to come! Drosselmeyer calls over his Apprentice and whispers into his ear; at that moment the clock strikes quarter past nine, and the party has begun! The children and adults alike start to celebrate and dance!

Suddenly, Drosselmeyer lifts his hands, bringing the entire room to a hush. With a knowing smile, he beckons his apprentice forward. The Apprentice steps through the crowd, pushing a towering, mysterious box that seems to shimmer under the lights. Whispers ripple through the room—What could possibly be inside?

With a dramatic sweep of his cloak, Drosselmeyer circles the box, then raps gently on its tiny door. For a heartbeat, nothing happens… and then the door slowly creaks open. Out march the Time-Stopping Clock Soldier, its movements sharp and mechanical, as if time itself bends around it.

The Apprentice grins and begins the next reveal. The Clock Soldier freezes in place—silent, still, waiting. From inside the box, two dazzling figures step forward: the radiant Sparkler Doll and the graceful New Year’s Doll, glittering like the start of a celebration.
Clara gasps, hardly daring to blink. Could this be a dream? She reaches out timidly to touch the New Years Eve Doll’s hand—only for the doll to gently move. Clara’s eyes widened in delight. They’re real. They’re truly real!

As if awakened by her joy, the Clock Soldier groans and creaks back to life. The New Year’s Doll twirls into place beside them. And just when it seems this magical performance might end, the three Dolls rise together into their grand, triumphant finale—filling the room with wonder all over again.

As Midnight draws closer and closer, it is time to pass out the children’s NYE gifts. Drosselmeyer and the Apprentice line up the children, giving each of them a present. Clara does not want hers though, she will always only want her beloved Nutcracker. Fritz starts his trouble again, sneaking around everyone to snatch The Nutcracker from his sister. Clara frantically tries to run and grab her doll from Fitz, but Fitz dodges her and runs. Before anyone can stop him, he breaks her Nutcracker… again! Clara falls to her knees in disbelief. The Nutcracker’s neck is broken in the same place as his last accident on Christmas Eve.

The girls dance with their dolls as the boys continue with their mischievous antics. With time ticking on, the adults continue to celebrate as it gets closer to drawing in the new year! While all the children are playing with their new toys, Clara begins to grow tired and excuses herself. She sways off to the chaise lounge in the corner to lay down with her Nutcracker.

As Clara’s eyes grow heavy and flicker shut, she hears the excited chatter caused from Drosselmeyer’s show and the Adults clinking their glasses of bubbly while awaiting their New Year’s kiss. Even with the smell of Chinese food, and the sound of her mother warning everyone of the time, Clara tries to stay awake but slowly drifts off to sleep. Just as the clock struck 10:00pm, Clara begins to dream of her Christmas adventure: the Soldiers, the Land of Sweets, the beloved Sugar Plum Fairy, the mice and their hair-raising king, but most importantly her adored Nutcracker.

Suddenly, a thunderous bang jolts Clara awake. Her heart races as she sits up—and to her shock, the Mouse King and his mischievous army have returned for another fierce and furious battle. Toy soldiers scramble into formation, their tin helmets gleaming as they charge forward to defend the Nutcracker.

Chaos erupts. The Mouse King and the Nutcracker clash in a whirlwind of squeaks and sparks, blades flashing in the dim light. Then, with a sly grin, the Mouse King spots an opening. He lunges—striking the Nutcracker down. The Mouse King lets out a triumphant hiss, believing victory is his… but Clara refuses to let the story end there. With a burst of courage, Clara snatches up a fallen sword and charges at the Mouse King. Her bravery shines brighter than the fiercest soldier. The moment overwhelms her, and as the battle swirls around her, her vision fades—Clara collapses in a faint.

A cool, tingling breeze brushes against her arm. Clara stirs, her eyes fluttering open. The world around her glitters with silvery light. She is no longer in her living room. She is somewhere magical—somewhere impossible. Clara pushes herself upright, turning slowly in awe. Everything glimmers like a dream come to life. Then, in the distance, she spots a familiar figure lying among a soft mound of shimmering bubbles. The Nutcracker. She rushes to him, dropping to her knees. Up close, she can see the marks left by the Mouse King’s attack. Her heart sinks. Tears spill onto her cheeks as she fears he may never wake. But just as her sobs begin to shake her shoulders, she feels a gentle hand rest upon her—warm and steady. Clara looks up. The Nutcracker stands before her, alive and smiling.

As they dance together, iridescent silver and blue bubbles cover the ground, casting a bright display of sparkles as far as the eye could see. As if cued, the bubbles push apart to reveal their queen and princess atop their royal chariot, to greet The Nutcracker and Clara. The Queen of Bubbles leads Clara and The Nutcracker to her royal chariot to be brought to the Grand Palace for her celebration of New Year’s traditions. The Queen and her cortège dance, following her royal guest to the palace.

The Bubble Palace appears as if a mirage, and then ensues the New Years traditions! The Spanish Streamers, Take-out Chinese, Russian Fireworks, The Bubble Princess, The Clock Hands and Mother-Time herself with all of her New Year’s babies, all rushing to the Palace to celebrate New Year’s Eve. The Bubble Queen summons The Nutcracker and Clara into the castle to join in the festivities. The Queen is saddened to see that The Nutcracker is hurt. The Queen conjures up her magical bubbly powers and with a *pop* The Nutcracker’s neck is mended! As a grand celebration ensues, each Tradition performs for their royal guests, and gives them each a New Year’s Treat. All of a sudden, a loud clock begins to strike, disrupting the grand finale. The traditions run frantically, realizing it is time to ring in the New Year!

The Nutcracker and Clara are quickly ushered out of the palace and back onto the chariot. In the blink of an eye, Clara is on the chaise lounge back in her home! Clara goes to grab The Nutcracker’s hand but he has disappeared! Clara desperately looks around for him. She looks up to see Drosselmeyer holding him, now a doll in his hands! Clara rushes over, but before she can ask Drosselmeyer what has happened to The Nutcracker, the party guests enter the room, as the clock begins to strike and everyone begins to countdown! 3….2…1….. HAPPY NEW YEAR!