The History of “The Nutcracker”

One of the most beloved Christmas traditions around the world is the viewing of the beautiful ballet, “The Nutcracker.” But do you know the history behind this gorgeous ballet? In 1816, E.T.A. Hoffman, a German author, published a dark, magical story about a girl and a wooden nutcracker that comes to life. The title of the original story was “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King.” Years later, in 1844, Alexandre Dumas Pere adapted this adults-only tale into one that children would enjoy, and renamed his adaptation, “The Story of a Nutcracker.” In 1891, the director of the St. Petersburg Imperial Theatre commissioned the great Tchaikovsky to create a ballet score based on this family-friendly adaptation by Dumas. While the ballet was not an immediate hit, it eventually gained huge popularity when, in 1954, the New York City Ballet filmed and broadcast the ballet to the world, immediately cementing its status as a holiday tradition. If you have never seen “The Nutcracker,” you should make plans to view it and enjoy Clara’s journey through the land of sweets and dance!