Production Notes
Speaking Roles
(4 females / 4 males)
MARIE
LOUISE FRITZ FATHER MOTHER GODFATHER WALTER DOCTOR |
A bed-ridden girl.
Her elder sister. Her brother (breeches role). Her father, Herr Stahlbaum. Her mother, Frau Stahlbaum. An eccentric man, Herr Drosselmeyer. A young man. |
Dancing Roles
(5 females / 3 males / 3-5 neutral)
CLAIRE
NUTCRACKER KRAMPUS KING QUEEN PRINCESS PERLIPAT SUGARPLUM FAIRY GRANDFATHER FROST GENIE LACKEYS ROYAL CAT-SCRATCHER ROYAL TREASURER ROYAL BAILIFF WALLABIES BULL BEARS GYPSY GOATS PANDA BEARS |
Marie’s favorite doll.
A new toy. A packrat and would-be king. A frivolous ruler. His wife. Their daughter. An enchantress. A surgeon. The proprietress of a café. Krampus’s retinue. |
Time
Place
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The Late Nineteenth Century..
The Nursery of the Stahlbaum House in a German Town..
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Staging Suggestions
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The outer world of the play belongs to the speaking roles. The furniture consists of Marie’s bed, a chair, and a Christmas tree, all on a rolling platform. Dolls, such as Claire and Nutcracker, may exist as hand props. The rodents may appear as puppets.
The inner world of the play belongs to the dancers. When the line between the outer world and the inner world becomes blurred, dancers may appear in silhouette, perhaps behind a screen. Some narration from the outer world may emanate from offstage. |
Dialogue & Dance
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The choreography may include action that is not mentioned in either the stage directions or the dialogue. Krampus and his lackeys are a good example; their brief appearances may include comic stage business. If need be, the narration may be slightly adjusted to suit the choreography.
The script’s musical cues refer to movements from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite. The titles do not necessarily reflect the play’s action. |