The NutcrackerHANDOUT 1: Scenes from

HANDOUT 1: SCENES FROM THE NUTCRACKER

1. Clara and friends are enjoying talking, laughing, playing. Herr Drosselmeier enters the room and beckons Clara. Clara goes to him and he hands her the nutcracker. She takes it and excitedly goes to show her friends her new toy.

2. Clara is cracking nuts with her nutcracker and handing them out to the other children. Fritz, who is jealous, grabs it from her, swings it around the room and throws it forcefully to the floor, causing it to break. Clara bursts into tears.

3. After the party ends, Clara goes to sleep. She is awakened by loud chimes later in the evening. Rubbing her eyes in surprise, she sees great big mice, led by the terrible Mouse King, come out from the shadows and begin to scurry around the room. As they leave the room, Clara gets out of her bed and follows.

4. Fritz’s toy soldiers spring to life and march into battle with the Mouse King and his mice. The Nutcracker comes to life, grows full size, and leads the battle against the mice. The Mouse King jeers at him, so Clara throws her shoe, hitting him on the head. The Mouse King falls and the Nutcracker victoriously claims the Mouse King’s crown.

5. The Nutcracker transforms into a handsome prince and sails with Clara to the Land of Sweets. They step out and look around, amazed by the sights. They are soon greeted by the Sugarplum Fairy who welcomes them with a curtsy. She waves her wand and leads Clara and the Nutcracker Prince into a room where they settle into two thrones. As they eat delightful treats, they watch Spanish hot chocolates snap their fingers as they perform a beautiful dance.