1892, Moscow
choreography: Lev Ivanov
Music: Tchaikovsky
It is Christmas in Germany. A mysterious guest arrives at the Stahlbaums' party. It is Herr Drosselmeyer, with a soldier's uniform for Fritz, and a nutracker in the shape of a soldier for Clara.
After the party, Clara creeps downstairs to fetch her nutcracker. Drosselmeyer appears, the clock stops, and the Christmas Tree and the toys grow huge and come to life. The Nutcracker does battle with the evil Mouse King, and Drosselmeyer changes him into a princem who takes Clara on a magical journey.
First, they travel to the land of Snow, where they meet the Snow Queen. Then they visit the Land of Sweets, where the Sugar Plum Fairy presents a series of divertissements for Clara: a coffee dance, a tea dance, Madame Bonbonniere, a Russian dance, and lastly the Waltz of the Flowers. The Prince and the Sugar Plum Fairy dance solos and a grand pas de deux before Clara suddenly finds herself back at home wondering if it was all a dream.
