Act I

Herr Stahlbaum and his wife are giving a Christmas Party. Clara and Fritz, their children, greet the guests. The parents give toys to all the children. Suddenly, the mysterious Herr Drosselmeyer arrives and entertains the children with his magic tricks and wind-up dolls.

Herr Drosselmeyer brings a special gift for Clara: a wooden nutcracker. Clara is thrilled with her gift. In a jealous fit, Fritz breaks it. Herr Drosselmeyer quickly repairs it.

The party ends, the guests leave, and the Stahlbaums retire for the night. Clara awakens as a mouse runs through her room. When the clock strikes midnight, the room fills with giant mice who attack Clara. Life-size toy soldiers, led by her valiant Nutcracker, come to her rescue. When the Mouse King battles the Nutcracker, Clara throws her slipper at the Mouse King, distracting him and enabling the Nutcracker to win the battle. After the battle, the Nutcracker is transformed into a handsome prince.

Act II

Clara and the Nutcracker Prince continue their journey across the Lemonade Sea. When they arrive in the Kingdom of Sweets, the cooks are preparing delectable treats for their arrival. They are greeted by the Sugar Plum Fairy. In Clara's honor, the Sugar Plum Fairy arranges for the inhabitants of her kingdom to entertain them while they eat: chocolate, a Spanish Dance; coffee, an Arabian Dance; and tea, a Chinese Dance. Clara is also entertained by the dance of the Mirlitons, a dance with Mother Ginger and her bonbons, a Russian dance, and the Waltz of the Flowers. Then, the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Nutcracker Prince dance a grand pas de deux. As the celebration draws to a close, Clara drifts off to sleep. She awakens at home, as the Nutcracker Prince salutes his princess Clara.

Source: www.houstonballet.org/Ticketing_Schedule/The_Nutcracker_Synopsis/.