The Nutcracker

On Christmas Eve, at a family party, a girl is given a wooden nutcracker by a mysterious relative. That night the toy comes to life, and a battle breaks out between the toys and an army of mice. The nutcracker then whisks her away to a magical kingdom of dancing candies and flowers. The tale is told almost entirely through dance and music rather than speech.

The ballet premiered in St. Petersburg, Russia, in 1892, with music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, based on an E. T. A. Hoffmann story. It became a Christmas tradition in the United States in the 20th century, and companies of every size, from major ballets to community groups, stage their own versions. Some theaters present spoofs, so check the listing.

The score is one of the best-known in classical music. Listen for the march at the Christmas party, the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy with its tinkling celesta, the lively Trepak and the sweeping Waltz of the Flowers near the end. Watch for the growing Christmas tree, the snow scene and the many styles of dance in the second half. It suits families, children of nearly any age and first-time ballet-goers.