By; Ronysia Whigham and

Phoenix Sims

The Origin of the Nutcracker!!

Nutcrackers have been around since at least ancient Greeks. In Germany, nutcrackers weren’t just practical tools, they were totems said to protect families from danger. Their big wooden teeth were designed to scare away evil sprits. In the 19th century, nutcrackers began being sold as children's toys in Christmas markets. The origin of the Nutcracker, a classic Christmas Story, is a fairy tale ballet in two acts centered on a family’s Christmas Eve celebration.a classic Christmas Story, is a fairy tale ballet in two acts centered on a family’s Christmas Eve celebration.

Pictures of the Nutcracker!!

The history of the Nutcracker!!Over 100 years old, The Nutcracker Ballet was

first presented at the Mayinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia, on December 17, 1892. Peter Tchaikovsky, the famous Russian composer, was commissioned by mastermind choreographer Marius Petipa to compose the ballet, score based on Alexandre Dumas’s adaptation of E.T.A. Hoffman’s tale "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King." Tchaikovsky and Petipa had previously worked together on another classical ballet.

About the Nutcracker author!!Ernst Theodor Wilhelm Hoffmann (24 January

1776 – 25 June 1822), better known by his pen name E. T. A. Hoffmann (Ernst Theodor Amadeus Hoffmann), was a German Romantic author of fantasy and horror, a jurist, composer, music critic, draftsman and caricaturist.[1] He is the subject and hero of Jacques Offenbach's famous but fictitional opera The Tales of Hoffmann, and the author of the novella The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, on which the famous ballet The Nutcracker is based. The ballet Coppélia is based on two other stories that Hoffmann wrote, while Schumann's Kreisleriana is based on Hoffmann's character Johannes Kreisler.

The music in the Nutcracker!! And the songs that were in the nutcracker!!

The music of the Nutcracker Ballet was composed by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Born in the Ural mountains of RussiaMiniature Overture

MarchScene and Waltz of the SnowflakesSpanish DanceArabian DanceChinese DanceRussian DanceDance of the Reed PipesWaltz of the Flowers

Clara and the Nutcracker!!

Random information about the Nutcracker!! To many families, the New York City Ballet's production of George Balanchine's The Nutcracker is an annual tradition. The first performance of the popular production was in February 1954 in New York City. It was the creation of this ballet by Balanchine for the New York City Ballet that began the tradition of celebrating the Christmas holidays with performances of the enchanting ballet.

Quick jot notes about the Nutcracker!!A total of 57 people work backstage to coordinate the

scenery, lighting, and costumes during each performance.During each performance, 150 costumes will appear

onstage.Between 600 and 700 lighting instruments are used in the

stage lighting for the production.The Sugar Plum Fairy’s tutu contains 7 layers of tulle.The giant Christmas tree grows to a full height of 41 feet,

weighing in at 1 ton.The Dewdrop’s costume is embellished with 65 crystal

"dewdrops."A total of 62 musicians play in the orchestra during each

performance.The metal-framed skirt of Mother Ginger weighs 40

pounds.

The summary of the Nutcracker!!On Christmas Eve, a little girl named Marie (Cohen) falls asleep after a party at her home and dreams herself (or does she?) into a fantastic world where toys become larger than life. Her beloved Nutcracker (Culkin) comes to life and defends her from the Mouse King, then is turned into a Prince after Marie saves his life. Written by Anonymous.

The story of the Nutcracker!!It’s a cozy Christmas Eve at the Stahlbaum’s house. Their house is

decorated with Christmas ornaments, wreaths, stockings, mistletoe and in the center of it all, a majestic Christmas tree. As the Stahlbaum’s prepare for their annual Christmas party, their children, Fritz and Clara, wait anxiously for their family and friends to arrive. When the guests finally appear, the party picks up with dancing and celebration. A mysterious guest arrives dressed in dark clothing, nearly frightening Fritz, but not Clara. Clara knows he is Godfather Drosselmeyer, the toymaker. His surprise arrival is warmly accepted and all the children dance and carry on with laughter. The celebration is interrupted again when Drosselmeyer reveals to the children that he has brought them gifts. The girls receive beautiful china dolls and the boys receive bugles. Fritz is given a beautiful drum, but Clara is given the best gift of all, the Nutcracker. Fritz grows jealous, snatches the Nutcracker from Clara and plays a game of toss with the other boys. It isn't long until the Nutcracker breaks. Clara is upset, but Drosselmeyer fixes it with a handkerchief. Drosselmeyer’s nephew offers Clara a small make-shift bed under the Christmas tree for her injured Nutcracker.

MERRY CHIRTMAS!!!

CUTE ANIMALS READY FOR CHRISTMAS!!