students of C.J.'s Dance Factory and a cast from the tri county area present 
PRATTVILLE'S NUTCRACKER BALLET
2023 

It is Christmas Eve and the Stahlmbaums are hosting a party in their grand, stately home.  The children, Fritz and Clara, dance as they welcome guests to the party. Eventually, Drosselmeyer arrives with two life-sized clockwork dolls, which are so lifelike they become the talk of the party. They begin to dance, and everyone is delighted. Drosselmeyer presents Fritz and Clara with their gifts. Clara’s is a traditional nutcracker that many guests at the party soon become delighted with. Fitz becomes jealous of Clara’s gift, takes the nutcracker from Clara and breaks it, leaving Clara devastated. Drosselmeyer fixes the nutcracker with a magic handkerchief and it is placed under the tree. Later that night, after everyone has gone to bed, Clara returns to the tree to check on her nutcracker, embraces it, and falls asleep holding it.

On the stroke of midnight, Clara mysteriously begins to shrink in size, with the Christmas tree looming enormously above her. An army of mice under the command of the Mouse King, invades the room. The toys under the tree, including the nutcracker, come to life and fight the mice, but they are defeated. Upon seeing her beloved nutcracker captured by the mice, Clara throws her slipper at the Mouse King, who is knocked to the floor. The mice finally retreat.

The nutcracker transforms into a dashing prince and whisks Clara away to a snowy, enchanted forest, where snowflakes dance all around them.

Act II The Kingdom of Sweets

The prince and Clara continue their journey into the Kingdom of Sweets and are greeted by the Sugar Plum Fairy. Sugar Plum Fairy rewards them with a feast of delicious treats. Sumptuous foods from all over the world are presented to them, such as Russian candy canes, Spanish chocolate and Arabian coffee. Other characters such as Danish Shepherdesses and Mother Ginger and her many children join the celebrations. The Sugar Plum Fairy and the Cavalier, finish the celebrations with a final dance.

Clanton Conference & Performing Arts Center at Jefferson State Community College (A.K.A. Jeff State Performing Arts Center)