About the Play
Drama with music. 75-90 minutes. 6+ females, 3+ males, 1-15+ any (10-50+ performers possible). Suitable for high school and older performers, and general audiences.
Premiered at the Hudson Drama Society (Hudson, MA).
The author grants productions pre-approval to make cuts to meet time limits and community standards regarding profanity and obscenity for Texas UIL and other one-act competitions.
Synopsis
Drawing from the Tchaikovsky ballet and E. T. A. Hoffman's original tale, A Nutcracker Story is part play, part musical, part ballet...and all magic. On Christmas Eve in 1812 Russia, Clara Silberhaus is only one sleep away from entering the world of adulthood. But with the last vestiges of war on the horizon, her father's life in danger and a rather irritating—and handsome—young prince come for the festivities, is growing up what Clara really wants? With a little help from her mysterious Uncle Drosselmeier, can Clara dance past her fears (and some troublesome rats) and into a land of newfound courage and a little holiday hope?
"I love this script because you are able to work on three kinds of theater in it, as well as a few battles. For a school production, I found it perfect to showcase student artistic talent, giving anyone a chance to be part of the classic tale, without the requirement of performing ballet." - Ryan Gonor, Stage Director of the Advanced Math and Science Academy (AMSA) Drama Society, Marlborough, MA
"Emily C. A. Snyder breaks new ground in theatre with an old premise." - StageBuddy.com