A classic holiday tale with a roaring 20's twist! Bainbridge Ballet is putting on their 16th annual production of The Nutcracker.
Synopsis:
The year is 1927 and the Stahlbaums have booked a stunning Parisian hotel to host a movie premiere for their dear friend, real life movie star Bridgette Helms. The Stahlbaum children, Clara and Fritz, threaten to ruin the evening with their sibling rivalry and subsequent antics. After the guests arrive a mysterious old projector plays the movie, during which an even more mysterious old man called Drosselmeyer seemingly walks through the screen and into the party.
He terrifies the children, charms the adults, and mystifies the whole crowd with dolls and toys that appear to move on their own! Drosselmeyer has brought one such toy to give away to a child at random; he selects Clara, and a jealous Fritz breaks the toy. All the commotion upsets Ms. Helms, whose husband suggests it is time to turn in for the evening, and the party ends.
After they've been sent to bed, Clara and Fritz both sneak downstairs to steal the nutcracker. During their squabble the projector magically turns on, Drosselmeyer appearing from the shadows. With a wave of Drosselmeyer's hands Fritz is sucked into the projector and disappears. Clara begs Drosselmeyer to return her brother but he refuses.
Remembering seeing the actress do the same in her movie, Clara offers to take her brother's place. As Drosselmeyer begins to cast his spell, the projector turns on once more. This time a Nutcracker Prince and his soldier army emerge, promising to kill Drosselmeyer. Drosselmeyer transforms, appearing to Clara and the Nutcracker Prince as the hideous Rat King. A great battle ensues, ending with Clara pushing Drosselmeyer and the entire rat army into the fireplace.
The Nutcracker Prince then takes Clara through the projector portal with a promise to help her find Fritz. They come to a beautiful snowy forest, where the Nutcracker Prince introduces her to the Snow Queen. Clara dances with the Snow Queen and her Snowflakes before the Nutcracker Prince whisks her away in an enchanted sleigh.
A group of young angles guide Clara and the Nutcracker Prince through the sky to the kingdom of the Sugarplum Fairy. A mosaic of characters celebrate their arrival with cheers and dancing; Clara and Fritz are finally reunited. Their adventure to the Sugarplum Kingdom ends with a dance between Sugarplum Fairy and her Cavalier. The children return home the next morning exhausted, falling asleep in the parlor as the first rays of Christmas morning shine through the windows.