Nutcracker ... The Musical

Debbie Meyer, the producer of The Sky Is the Limit Community Theatre in Baltimore, has directed many acclaimed productions of important plays. Fascinated by Tchaikovsky's music and the plot of Hoffmann's story, she searched for a good dramatization of The Nutcracker. Finding none, she wrote her own. It was a resounding success in Baltimore, where audiences were delighted with the opportunity to see Hoffman's story and Tchaikovsky's music in play form. When Marie's godfather gives her a toy nutcracker for Christmas, she puts it under the Christmas tree just as a mouse scampers by. As we watch, the Nutcracker grows to life-size as a handsome soldier, the mouse grows into a man-size Mouse King, and Marie is transported to the land of the Sugarplum Fairies, where duels are fought and romance blossoms. This dramatization by Debbie Meyer gives theatres the opportunity to mount the immortal story on stage as a musical play, minus the ballet dancers. However, dancing may be added if the director chooses. The fantasy elements may be spectacularly displayed or simply presented; the story and the audience's imagination will fill in any missing details. Young and mature audiences alike will love this story of the personified Nutcracker, the Mouse King, the Sugar Plum Fairies and the other enchanting characters. The ballet based on Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite is one of the world's best-loved Christmas entertainments (suitable any time of year). Tchaikovsky composed the passionate music in 1892, the year before he died.