Ballet Minnesota’s company veterans and apprentices, along with a host of students fill out the roles ranging from the luminary Clara to the youngest dancers as scampering mice and winged angels who seem to float on and off the stage. Enchanted sets further the magic with an adrenaline-filled battle, a fire-breathing dragon, lollipop swings along with Madame Ginger, and gentle snow falling on the corps de ballet at the close of Act I.
To brush up on your knowledge of this holiday classic, we begin on Christmas Eve in the cozy home of a young girl, Clara, her mischievous brother, Fritz, and their family hosting a Christmas party. A latecomer to the party is Clara’s mysterious Godfather Drosselmeyer. Clara’s Godfather presents her with a marvelous gift, a Nutcracker doll.
As Clara drifts asleep that night, the audience is transported into her dream. As Clara tiptoes back to the living room she is met by the life sized and animated Rat King and Nutcracker. A battle then ensues with an army of soldiers in Clara’s living room. After successfully defeating the Rat King, the Nutcracker’s spell is broken, and he becomes Prince once again.
The Nutcracker Prince along with the Snow Queen and Prince, escort Clara into the Kingdom of the Sweets. During this trip, Clara is given a tiara for defeating the Rat King and breaking the Nutcracker’s spell. A beautiful festival ensues and the visit peaks with a grand pas de deax danced by the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier. Clara awakes from her dream and cannot decipher what was real or fake.