The Nutcracker libretto

A long time ago in the magical Land of Sweets, there lived a little domovoi, a magical spirit who protected the castle of the Sugar Plum Fairy. One day, the evil Rat Queen stole the Domovoi, seeking to take over the Land of Sweets. Through magic and mayhem, the Domovoi, disguised as a Nutcracker, escaped and ended up in the safety of Madame Drosselmeyer’s School of Ballet. 

It is the night of the holiday recital at Madame Drosselmeyer’s School of Ballet. All the dancers are celebrating with dances, treats and gifts. Madame passes out special gifts to all the dancers, giving young Clara a strange looking Nutcracker. The evening winds down and Clara hides behind the Christmas tree as everyone leaves. Clara falls asleep under the tree clutching her little Nutcracker.

As she sleeps, the Rat Queen and her Mouse Minions invade the Ballet School looking for the hidden Domovoi. Clara wakes up to see ballerina soldiers protecting the Nutcracker from the mice. She grabs a pointe shoe and whacks the Rat Queen on the head, knocking her out. Suddenly, a beautiful fairy appears. It’s the Sugar Plum Fairy! She has been searching for the Domovoi and is overjoyed to find it. To thank Clara for protecting the Domovoi, she invites Clara to the Land of Sweets for a celebration.

They stop in the Land of Snow to enjoy the dance of the snowflakes and continue on to the Land of Sweets. Clara is feted and invited to try all the sweets in the Land of Sweets. She tries Russian Tea Cookies, Spanish Turron, Arabian Baklava, Chinese Boba Tea, Georgian Honey Cake, French Macarons, Ginger Bread and Gingersnaps, Italian Tiramisu and delicate desserts made from roses. Clara develops a tummy ache after eating all the sweets and curls up for a nap. 

Clara is awakened by Madame Drosselmeyer who guides her out of the studio. Madame briefly glances at the shadows and the Sugar Plum Fairy, holding the little Domovoi, curtseys in gratitude.