The History of The Nutcracker Ballet
The Nutcracker Ballet and the timeless music of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky made its debut in 1892 at the Maryinsky Theater in St. Petersburg and, since then, audiences around the world have enjoyed the annual performances.
Des Moines’ first Nutcracker was performed by the Des Moines Civic Ballet Company in 1966 with ActI staged by Mary Joyce Lind and Act II staged by Tatiana Doukodovska from Kansas City. For thirteen years, the production was preformed in both Des Moines at KRNT Theater and in Ames at C.Y. Stephens Auditorium.
In 1985, Mary Joyce Lind and Janice Baker restaged The Nutcracker Ballet for Iowa Dance Theatre. IDT has produced The Nutcracker Ballet at the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines since 1997. This production includes new choreography by many talented choreographers.
The Nutcracker Story
Preparations are being made for a wonderful holiday party held at the Silberhaus residence. Excitement grows as the guests arrive, especially when one very mysterious gentleman makes his entrance. It ‘s Herr Drosselmeyer, Clara’s godfather.
The party guests are charmed by Drosselmeyer’s mechanical dolls. He brings gifts to all the children, but he has a special gift for Clara – a fantastic Nutcracker doll. Clara’s brother Fritz breaks the Nutcracker in a jealous rage. Drosselmeyer is able to fix it, but Clara and Fritz are sent to their rooms nonetheless.
After the festivities are over, Clara returns to the living room and falls asleep with her Nutcracker doll cradled in her arms. As the clock strikes midnight, the living room begins to grow and she finds herself under the Christmas tree, surrounded by mice. Herr Drosslemeyer appears and turns the Nutcracker doll into a Nutcracker Prince. A battle ensues between the magically animated toy soldiers lead by the Nutcracker Prince and the mice and rats, lead by the wicked Rat Queen. Just as the Rat Queen is about to be victorious, Clara and the Nutcracker Prince corner and defeat the Rat Queen.
The Nutcracker Prince then escorts Clara through the Land of Snow where they are greeted by the Snow Queen and King and the beautiful Waltzing Snowflakes. Their journey continues as Clara is lead to the Land of Sweets by the Angels. The Dewdrop Fairy greets Clara, who is then honored with entertainment by court dancers from around the world. The Rose Queen and her flowers waltz for Clara followed by the wonderful dancing of the Sugarplum Fairy and her Cavalier. The Angels appear again and Clara finds herself back home on her couch wondering… Was it a dream,… or was it real?