Pass on the Tradition of the Nutcracker

With the holidays just around the corner, you might already have visions of sugarplums dancing in your head. If you do, then thoughts of sugarplum fairies and the wonderful musical The Nutcracker can’t be far behind. For many families, watching the musical on television or listening to the music of Tchaikovsky is a holiday tradition.

Most people know the story quite well. On Christmas Eve, as family and friends gather to decorate the tree and have a grand time. Herr Drosselmeyer, a toymaker and magician, creates four dolls for the children of the family, along with a wooden soldier nutcracker. One of the children breaks the nutcracker, much to the dismay of Clara, who was very fond of the toy. Later, it comes to life and battles alongside the gingerbread men to defeat the Mouse King and his legion of mice. With Clara’s help, the nutcracker is able to defeat the Mouse King.

In the second act, they head to the Land of Sweets and meet the Sugar Plum Fairy, who was ruling the kingdom while the nutcracker, who is really a prince, was away. Together Clara and the Prince become the rulers of the Land of Sweets. At the end, we’re left to wonder whether it was all a dream or whether it was real. Since she has a crown sitting next to her when she wakes up under the Christmas tree in the morning, it might just have been real. That little bit of magic, along with all of the adventure, is what makes kids really love this musical!

It’s an odd plot, but it’s quite a bit of fun and is one of the most beloved musicals in the world today. Whether you’ve seen it a hundred times, or you want to introduce the musical to your children, it’s always a magical experience. Many different ballet groups all around the country – and the entire world – have troupes perform The Nutcracker during the holiday season. While watching it on television is fine, it’s not the same as seeing it live. If you have the chance, make sure you get to see a performance in person.

Categorized in: Theater