The Nutcracker
*The event has already taken place on this date: Sun, 12/11/2016
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Be transported back in time to Christmas Eve at the Stahlbaum house -- A grand house with the most beautiful tree. The Stahlbaums are hosting their annual Christmas party and welcoming family and friends. The children, Clara and Fritz, are dancing and playing as they welcome their friends too.
The party is a festive event with music and dance as godfather Drosselmeyer arrives. He is a skilled clock and toy maker and always full of surprises. Drosselmeyer draws everyone's attention as he presents life-size dolls that take turns dancing and delighting the guests.
The children begin to open gifts when Drosselmeyer presents his to Clara and Fritz. His gift to Fritz is quite nice, but when he gives Clara a beautiful Nutcracker it becomes the hit of the party. Fritz becomes jealous, grabs the nutcracker from Clara and promptly breaks it. Clara is heartbroken but Drosselmeyer magically repairs the Nutcracker with a handkerchief trick.
As the evening grows late, the guests depart and the Stahlbaum family retires for the evening. Clara, worried about her beloved Nutcracker, sneaks back to the tree to check on him, falling asleep with him in her arms.
However, as she sleeps the clock strikes midnight and strange things begin to happen in her dream. Clara begins shrinking as her beautiful Christmas tree grows high above her. The toys around the tree come to life while the room fills with an army of rats, led by the fierce Rat Queen. The Nutcracker awakens and leads his army of toys into battle with the rats and the Rat Queen.
The Nutcracker and his army are over powered and captured by the rats. But Clara bravely throws her slipper at the Rat Queen and succeeds in hitting her square on the head. The Rat Queen drops to the floor and the rats run away, carrying off their leader's lifeless body.
Winter 2016 Performance
For over 25 years Atlanta Dance Theatre has presented memorable holiday performances. This year we are proud to once again present the premiere full length performance of The Nutcracker. Based on the traditional storyline, our creative ballet rendition is masterfully choreographed by Shelley Grames, Atlanta Dance Theatre’s Co-Director. It is the performance that your family will love this holiday season.
But the adventure is only beginning. Drosselmeyer, magically transforms the Nutcracker into a Prince and leads Clara and her Prince through a magical Land of Snow where they are welcomed by dancing snowflakes.
Next they arrive at the decadent Land of Sweets, where the Sugar Plum Fairy welcomes them and hearing about their battle with the rat army she rewards them with a celebration of dances. They are presented Hot Chocolate from Spain, Coffee from Arabia, Tea from China, Russian Treats, Candy Canes, Angels, Dew Drop Fairy, Flowers, and many more! The entire kingdom performs in a fantastic display of colorful and sparkling costumes and as a grand finale, the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Cavalier dance a beautiful Pas De Deux.
But as the dream ends Clara awakens and finds herself by her Christmas tree with her beloved Nutcracker.
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