One of the most familiar holiday traditions and stories in the world is that of The Nutcracker Suite. With thousands of adaptations for stage and screen alike, many little girls dream of being Clara or the Sugar Plum Fairy.

“Everyone has their own Nutcracker story,” says Ballet Arkansas Executive Director Lauren Strother. This is true for the two young ladies sharing the performance duties as Clara this year. Marilyn Ronnel is a second generation Clara. Her mother Jennifer was in a 1970s version in Alabama. Marilyn shares, “I love being with everyone during rehearsals and have made a lot of good friends.” Mary Claire Cogbill says her favorite part of portraying Clara is “dancing with the Prince and the Snowflakes. It’s like a dream.”

You can’t go to many stores this time of year without seeing the stoic lead character. The wooden carvings of soldiers, knights and kings actually date back to the 15th century and were fashioned as decorative, mechanical devices for cracking nuts.

Even those who truly enjoy the story though may still be a little curious about how it got its start and really what it all means. The ballet itself is a type of classical performance dance using elaborate costumes and staging to tell a story through music, dance and a mime-esgue style of acting.

Originating in the late 1800’s, world renowned choreographer, Marius Petipa commissioned Peter Tchaikovsky to compose the music for Alexandre Dumas’ adaptation of E.T.A. Hoffman’s tale “The Nutcracker and The Mouse King.” It was considered a flop at first, but after tweaking by a host of creatives over the years, it is now considered by many as the most popular ballet in the world.

So what’s all the gingerbread fuss about? Let’s get right to the “pointe” of the story. In Act I, it’s a cozy Christmas Eve in an ornamented home with a majestic Christmas tree at the center of it all. The Stahlbaum family prepares for their seasonal soiree while their children Fritz and Clara anxiously await their guests’ arrivals. As children play, dancing and laughter erupt when Godfather Drosselmeyer arrives. He has brought them gifts. Fritz receives a drum, but Clara receives the Nutcracker. Fritz is jealous and tosses the wooden figurine around with the other boys. The Nutcracker gets broken, but Drosselmeyer fixes him with a handkerchief.

As the party winds down, the Stahlbaum family retires for the evening. Clara checks on her Nutcracker and falls asleep under the Christmas tree holding him in her arms. She wakes up at the stroke of midnight to a frightening scene of giant mice and toy soldiers in a battle. The Mouse King traps the Nutcracker and Clara throws her slipper at him. The Nutcracker is able to overcome the stunned rodent and claims victory.

Clara is overwhelmed by the events and falls onto the bed. The bed transforms into a magical sleigh and the Nutcracker into a human prince. There are angels, snowflakes, and dancing maidens as the ballet transitions into Act II.

The magical journey goes through the snowy forest to the Land of Sweets. Clara is astonished by the deliciously beautiful surroundings. She and the Nutcracker are greeted by the Sugar Plum Fairy who is very impressed with Clara’s bravery and Nutcracker’s heroism. They are treated with a lavish festival in their honor.

There are dances of hot coco, coffee, tea and the sounds of Spanish fandango, Arabian songs, exotic Asian flute chorus and invigorating Russian Trepak. Then a giant gingerbread house, a.k.a. Mother Ginger, dances onto the court opening her skirt. Out pop little dancing gingerbread children. Then the music segues into a beautiful waltz and dancing flowers.

Silence. A handsome Cavalier enters the scene for a dance with the Sugar Plum Fairy. It is the pinnacle of Clara’s amazing evening. The lush festival concludes with all of the magical characters bidding Clara and Nutcracker adieu. Clara wishes the adventure would never end. Alas, Clara awakens in the morning with the toy Nutcracker still in her arms.

"The Nutcracker" plays Dec. 13-15. For showtimes, tickets or more information go to BalletArkansas.org.

The “Suite” Stats

So how long does it take to put all the magic together for Ballet Arkansas’ production of The Nutcracker?

12 MONTHS!

Countdown to Christmas production:

  • January – Post production rest!
  • February – 1st Postmortem meeting with production team
  • March – Preliminary budgeting
  • April – Budget approved
  • May – New costumes designed
  • June – New costumes constructed
  • July – Rehearsal schedules planned out and student packets are put together. Go to market for Nutcracker Boutique items.
  • August – Auditions, casting, and fittings
  • September – Rehearsals begin
  • October – Rehearsals
  • November – Promotion and special events begin (appearances at the Nutcracker Tea, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, Carti Festival of Trees)
  • December – Theater week (This is the hectic time when all last minute items are handled along with cast parties, dress rehearsals, and multiple school and public performances.

201 people including many children are in the production in addition to the 11 company members.

8,000+ people attended last year’s productions.

400+ costume pieces are used.

1,000+ hooks and eyes are hand sewn on costumes.

400+ lighting instruments are utilized.

50 lbs of paper confetti falls onto the stage throughout the snow scene.

100+ volunteers.