Act 1: Party Scene

The Stahlbaums are throwing a Christmas party and invite all their friends including the mysterious and magical Drosselmeyer. Their children, Clara, Franz, and Fritz, join the other children in a dance. Drosselmeyer then reveals his gift to Clara of the nutcracker. Everyone is really excited until it is time to go home.

After the party, Clara comes downstairs looking for her nutcracker. She cannot find it, but does find some pesky mice. Drosselmeyer then comes to her rescue and scares away the mice. Drosselmeyer then conjures up magic, making Clara shrink and the Nutcracker to animate. Clara faints from all the excitement.