Each miniature ornament in this planned five year series represent a character from Tchaikovsky's delightful ballet, The Nutcracker. Dated. Handcrafted. By LaDene Votruba.
- The Nutcracker Ballet (1) - 1996
Ornament and Display Stage. Includes: Clara, the little girl who begins a magical adventure one Christmas Eve. 1¼" h. and a wonderfully detailed Display Stage created to hold and showcase this series. 8¼" h. x 5½" w. $14.75 USA QXM4064
- Herr Drosselmeyer (2) - 1997
Herr Drosselmeyer brings his godchild Clara a wondrous gift-a large brightly painted wooden Nutcracker...and the magical story begins! 1⅝" h. $5.95 USA QXM4135
- Nutcracker (3) - 1998
The Nutcracker comes to life, dances with Clara and leads a company of toy soldiers. 1½" h. $5.95 USA QXM4146
- Mouse King (4) - 1999
As Clara falls asleep, the magical Christmas Eve ballet continues...the evil Mouse King arrives and challenges the brave Nutcracker. $5.95 USA $8.50 / CAN QXM4487
Sugarplum Fairy (5) - 2000
Clara and her handsome prince are whisked away to the Kingdom of Sweets for a wondrous celebration. The grand finale is the "Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy." $5.95 USA $7.95 / CAN QXM5984
The Nutcracker Ballet
(The story)
Christmas Eve is always a time of enchantment. But, for a little girl named Clara Stahlbaum, Christmas Eve is the beginning of a truly, magical adventure...
Clara's parents have prepared an elegant party complete with a splendid Christmas tree. Herr Drosselmeyer, Clara's godfather, arrives with his handsome young nephew. Drosselmeyer presents Clara and her brother, Fritz, with wondrous gifts, including a large, brightly painted wooden Nutcracker for Clara. Fritz is jealous of Clara's present and breaks it, but Drosselmeyer manages to repair it. Soon after, the party ends and the children go off to bed. But Clara creeps quietly back into the living room to see her precious Nutcracker and eventually drifts off to sleep.
When the clock strikes twelve, Clara awakes. She returns to the Christmas tree to see her Nutcracker, only to discover he has grown to life size. Clara and the Nutcracker dance until they are interrupted by a group of huge mice led by the terrible Mouse King. The nutcracker leads a company of toy soldiers in a battle against the mice. The soldiers appear to be losing until Clara throws her slipper at the Mouse king, knocking him down. The Nutcracker slays the Mouse king, turns into a handsome prince (who resembles Drosselmeyer's nephew), and whisks Clara away to a wondrous celebration in the Kingdom of Sweets. The entertainment ends with the lovely "Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy." Clara and the Prince return home in time to enjoy Christmas Day.