SYNOPSIS
The Nutcracker is a holiday fairy tale about a young girl, Clara Stahlbaum, and her favorite Christmas. Her parents are hosting their annual Christmas Eve Party, with guests who’ve come from around the world. Clara’s mysterious Godfather, Herr Drosselmeyer, arrives and charms Clara and the guests with magic tricks and life-sized dancing mechanical dolls. Best of all, he brings a special Christmas gift for Clara: a beautiful Nutcracker doll.
Clara is very excited about her Nutcracker. She cradles it lovingly as she dances with it alongside her friends. But her brother, Fritz, is jealous. He snatches the Nutcracker from Clara and throws it down, breaking her new treasure. Clara’s watchful Godfather sees what has happened, and fixes the doll for her.
When the party has ended and the family is asleep, Clara sneaks downstairs to look at her Nutcracker doll. She eventually falls asleep and with a little help from Drosselmeyer’s magic, her dream begins.
The Rat King appears with his army to try to kidnap Clara and take her to his kingdom. Clara looks everywhere for her Nutcracker, but he is gone and the room seems to swirl around her. Suddenly, the Christmas tree begins growing, and everything in the room seems out of proportion. Soldiers appear, and behind them is her beloved Nutcracker. He has come to life to save Clara from the Rat King.
The Nutcracker and the Rat King begin fighting. Clara hides, worried for her Nutcracker. It appears he will be overpowered, so Clara takes off her shoe and throws it, hitting the Rat King. He is distracted, and Clara’s bravery helps the Nutcracker defeat the Rat King and win the battle.
In a cloud of smoke, Clara’s Nutcracker is transformed. She has found her Prince. He offers his hand to take her on a journey into the land of the Snowflakes. After meeting the Snow King and Queen, and watching the Snowflakes dance, Clara flies off in a sleigh to the enchanted land of the Sugar Plum Fairy.
There, she meets the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier, and Clara and her Nutcracker Prince tell the Sugar Plum Fairy about the adventures that brought them there. The Sugar Plum Fairy invites Clara and the Nutcracker Prince to dance. They meet many new friends, whose costumes remind Clara of the colorful clothes worn by the party guests she met earlier that evening.
Finally, they meet the beautiful Red Rose and her waltzing Flowers. Clara doesn’t want this wonderful night to end, or to leave her handsome Nutcracker Prince, but she knows it is time to go. She boards her sleigh and sleepily waves goodbye to everyone.
She awakens on Christmas morning. All that remains of her adventure is her Nutcracker doll and the wonderful memories of her most magical Christmas.
Tickets
Standard $19 - $95
Child/Senior $14 - $90
Student Rush $10 - $20 (Day of show with ID)
Groups of 10 tickets or more receive 10% off
Dates & Times
Friday, December 15th - 7 PM
Saturday, December 16th - 1 PM
Saturday, December 16th - 7 PM
Sunday, December 17th - 1 PM
Sunday, December 17th - 7 PM
Wednesday, December 20th - 2 PM*
Thursday, December 21st - 7 PM
Friday, December 22nd - 1 PM
Friday, December 22nd - 7 PM
Saturday, December 23rd - 1 PM
Saturday, December 23rd - 7 PM
Sunday, December 24th - 1 PM
*Ballet Lunch Break - Groups of 10 tickets or more receive 20% off!
Venue
Overture Hall
Overture Center for the Arts
201 State St.
Madison, WI 53703