When: December 18-27, 2009

Where: Raleigh Memorial Auditorium

What: The Stahlbaum family is hosting their annual Christmas party, with the children, Clara and Fritz, dancing and playing as they welcome their friends. Soon the children's godfather, Drosselmeyer, who is a skilled clock and toy maker arrives with gifts for both Clara and Fritz. Drosselmeyer gives Clara a beautiful Nutcracker that becomes the hit of the party. Although Drosselmeyer's gift to Fritz is very nice, Fritz becomes jealous and grabs the nutcracker from Clara breaking it. Clara is heartbroken, but relieved when Drosselmeyer quickly repairs her Nutcracker. Once the Stahlbaum family retires for the evening; Clara, worried about her beloved Nutcracker, sneaks back to the tree to check on him, falling asleep with him in her arms.
As the clock strikes midnight strange things begin to happen. Clara begins shrinking as her beautiful Christmas tree grows high above her. The toys around the tree come to life while the room fills with an army of mice, lead by the fierce Mouse King. As the Nutcracker awakens, he leads his army of toy soldiers into battle with the mice. The Mouse King corners the Nutcracker and battles him one-on-one, but the Nutcracker and his army are no match for and are captured by the mice and their King. Clara makes a final daring charge throwing her slipper at the Mouse King, hitting him square on the head. The Mouse King drops to the floor and the mice run away, carrying off their leader's lifeless body.
The Nutcracker turns into a Prince and takes Clara on a journey to the Land of Snow, an enchanted forest where they are welcomed by dancing snowflakes. The Prince escorts Clara to the Land of Sweets where they are greeted by the Sugar Plum Fairy. The Prince tells her about their daring battle with the army of mice and she rewards them with a celebration of dances. As Clara and the Nutcracker prepare to leave the Land of Sweets, the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Cavalier dance a beautiful Pas De Deux as a final send off to their new friend.
As Clara awakens beneath the Christmas tree with her Nutcracker in her arms she must be thinking, "What a lovely dream"… or is it?
Come be transported to a fantasy land of whimsical characters, with eye-popping sets, costumes and special effects.