BalletMet’s The Nutcracker

Act I: 50 Minutes | Intermission: 20 Minutes | Act II: 40 Minutes

Witness magic in the making at The Nutcracker, a beloved holiday tradition that has stood the test of time. Co-created by Gerard Charles and Robert Post, this spellbinding production invites you inside the earnest and imaginative dreams of young Clara as she journeys with her Nutcracker Prince to meet the Sugar Plum Fairy. Set to Tchaikovsky’s extraordinary arrangement, The Nutcracker is an adventure for all who believe in holiday enchantment.

Why you’ll love this ballet 

  • A traditional version of the Nutcracker
  • Family friendly
  • Comedic moments
  • Lush costumes, and scenery
  • A cast of over 100, including both professional dancers and children

Find Out More!

Listen to the music!

Watch the Documentary!

Super excited to team up with Justice studios to present Finding Clara

  • Young Clara and the Nutcracker Prince share a dance
  • Clara places her nutcracker doll on the fireplace mantle in The Nutcracker
  • Granny shows off her moves in the Nutcracker
  • Clara and the Nutcracker Prince journey to the land of the Sugar Plum Fairy
  • Young Clara dances with her new Nutcracker
  • BalletMet Academy students perform in The Nutcracker
  • The Spanish Doll performs her dance in the Nutcracker
  • Flowers come to life on stage in The Nutcracker

Meet the Characters

  • Clara Stahlbaum

    When Clara’s godfather gives her a nutcracker at the Christmas party, she has no idea she will soon embark on a magical adventure. In her dreams (or are they really dreams?) she defeats the Mouse King and his mice to save her Nutcracker Prince. Then the diverse wonders of The Land of the Sugar Plum Fairy are displayed before her with all the magic of a little girl’s imagination.

  • Fritz Stahlbaum

    Clara’s brother has a sense for the mischievous. When he becomes dismayed that he cannot crack nuts with his teeth like the nutcracker, Fritz breaks the nutcracker. But Herr Drosselmeyer quickly fixes the toy. Fritz is still looking for trouble and finds a rat with which to tease Clara.

  • Herr Drosselmeyer

    Clara’s godfather and a long-time friend of the Stahlbaum family, Herr Drosselmeyer is a mysterious toymaker who gives Clara a life-like Spanish doll and her brother Fritz an exciting Spanish doll. Near the end of the party, Drosselmeyer gives Clara another special gift: a nutcracker.

  • The Nutcracker Prince

    Hailing from the Land of the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Nutcracker Prince has been entrapped in the nutcracker that Herr Drosselmeyer gives to Clara. When Clara frees him in the battle against the Mouse King, he takes her on an enchanting journey to his homeland.

  • Sugar Plum Fairy

    After hearing the story of Clara rescuing the prince, the Sugar Plum Fairy arranges a grand celebration in their honor filled with astonishing surprises, including a reunion between Clara and her Spanish doll.

  • Mouse King

    After learning of Clara’s nutcracker, the menacing Mouse King orders his minions to steal the nutcracker from her. The Mouse King and his minions battle Clara, the Spanish and Chinese dolls resulting in an even bigger battle between the toy soldiers and the mice, once Clara’s nutcracker comes to life.

Sugar Plum Fairy performs in The Nutcracker

What’s it like being the Sugar Plum Fairy?

It’s not easy being Plum.

As a fairy, she’s required to be both breezy and regal, to make her movements look both effortless and intricate. No easy feat for any and every dancer. We sat down with three of our fairies to get their take on performing this iconic and rewarding role.

Read the Blog

Taking young children?

Here are some tips!

  • Here is a great article about taking young children to see The Nutcracker​
  • Want to read them the story ahead of time? Visit the Columbus Metro Library – they have a lot of great books about The Nutcracker.  Our favorite is Ella Bella Ballerina and The Nutcracker.
  • Most children are surprised that dancers don’t sing or talk in the ballet so explain how they can tell the story in their mind as they watch them perform.
  • Do some fun things around the theatre before you take your seats (also great for getting the wiggles out during intermission)!
    • Visit costumed characters on the 2nd floor during our matinee performances
    • We have a craft and coloring station on the 2nd level that is open before and during intermission.
    • Listen to carolers singing both inside and out before the show starts
    • The Nutcracker mascot is in front of the theatre the hour before the performance.
    • We know sometimes it’s just too much and kids need a break, if that’s the case feel free to slip out of the theatre and head to the lobby or our 2nd floor craft area.  We have a television with a live feed, in both areas.

Never been to the ballet before? Read our how to ballet guide before your first-ballet.