Presented by PNC Bank
The Nutcracker returns to the stage for Colorado Ballet’s 65th season to delight audiences of all ages. This timeless tradition and audience favorite captures the festive spirit of the season, replete with mischievous dancing mice, sweet Sugar Plums, a symphony of swirling snowflakes, and Tchaikovsky’s beloved score performed live by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra.
Saturday, November 29, 2025 1:00PM
Saturday, November 29, 2025 6:30PM
Sunday, November 30, 2025 1:00PM - , Sensory Friendly Performance
Sunday, November 30, 2025 6:30PM
Friday, December 5, 2025 7:30PM
Saturday, December 6, 2025 , 1:00PM
Sunday, December 7, 2025 , 1:00PM
Sunday, December 7, 2025 , 6:30PM
Thursday, December 11, 2025 , 7:30PM
Friday, December 12, 2025 , 7:30PM
Saturday, December 13, 2025 1:00PM
Saturday, December 13, 2025 , 6:30PM
Sunday, December 14, 2025 , 1:00PM
Sunday, December 14, 2025 , 6:30PM
Thursday, December 18, 2025 7:30PM
Friday, December 19, 2025 , 7:30PM
Saturday, December 20, 2025 , 1:00PM
Saturday, December 20, 2025 , 6:30PM
Sunday, December 21, 2025 , 1:00PM
Sunday, December 21, 2025 , 6:30PM
Monday, December 22, 2025 , 1:00PM
Monday, December 22, 2025 , 6:30PM
Tuesday, December 23, 2025 , 1:00PM
Tuesday, December 23, 2025 6:30PM
Wednesday, December 24, 2025 , 1:00PM
Saturday, December 27, 2025 , 1:00PM
Saturday, December 27, 2025 , 6:30PM
Sunday, December 28, 2025 , 1:00PM
The curtain rises to reveal Herr Drosselmeyer in his workshop preparing for the party at the home of Dr. and Frau Stahlbaum. It’s their annual Christmas Eve Party. The magical and eccentric Herr Drosselmeyer has planned a special surprise for his beloved godchild, Clara Stahlbaum. He presents her with a wonderfully mysterious wooden Nutcracker.
Clara is immediately taken with the gift. Clara’s brother Fritz is jealous and steals the Nutcracker from Clara. In the chaos of his teasing, Fritz accidentally breaks the Nutcracker. Herr Drosselmeyer comes to the rescue and assures Clara that all will be well. The party ends and Clara, just before the stroke of midnight, returns to the darkened living room to check on her Nutcracker. She is frightened by large mice, but suddenly, Herr Drosselmeyer appears and the mice flee. Much to Clara’s amazement, Herr Drosselmeyer commands Christmas tree to grow to such an enormous size that it pushes away the entire room. Next, he changes her little wooden toy into a life-size Nutcracker. The Nutcracker introduces himself and his soldiers to Clara.
The mice suddenly reappear, and a vicious battle ensues. The soldiers seem to be winning, but the great Mouse King appears and the tide turns. The Nutcracker and the Mouse King fight, and just as the Mouse King is about to overpower the Nutcracker, Clara distracts him, giving the Nutcracker the chance to overcome the Mouse King.
To Clara’s delight and surprise, the Nutcracker is transformed into a handsome young prince, who takes her off on an enchanted journey. He takes her to the Land of the Snow, and then to the beautiful Kingdom of the Sugar Plum Fairy, where Clara is entertained by dances from many lands.
The Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier then dance for Clara and the Prince. The Prince carries a sleeping Clara back to her home, where she awakens uncertain if her magical journey was a dream or reality.
En Español
La cortina se levanta para revelar a Herr Drosselmeyer en su taller preparándose para la fiesta en la casa del Dr. y Frau Stahlbaum. Es su fiesta anual de Nochebuena. El mágico y excéntrico Herr Drosselmeyer ha planeado una sorpresa especial para su amada ahijada, Clara Stahlbaum. Le presenta un Cascanueces de madera maravillosamente misterioso.
Clara inmediatamente queda encantada con el regalo. El hermano de Clara, Fritz, le da envidia y le roba el Cascanueces a Clara. En el caos de su burla, Fritz accidentalmente rompe el Cascanueces. Herr Drosselmeyer viene al rescate y le asegura a Clara que todo va a salir bien.
La fiesta termina y Clara, poco antes del golpe de la medianoche, regresa a la sala obscurecida para revisar su Cascanueces. Queda asustada por ratones grandes, pero de repente aparece Herr Drosselmeyer y los ratones huyen. Mucho para el asombro de Clara, Herr Drosselmeyer ordena que el árbol de Navidad crezca a tal enorme tamaño que empuja fuera el salón entero. Entonces cambia a su pequeño juguete de madera en un Cascanueces de tamaño natural. El Cascanueces se presenta a si mismo y a sus soldados a Clara.
Los ratones repentinamente reaparecen, y se produce una batalla violenta. Los soldados parecen estar ganando, pero aparece el gran Rey de los Ratones y cambia la batalla. El Cascanueces y el Rey de los Ratones pelean, y en el momento que el Rey de los Ratones está por dominar al Cascanueces, Clara lo distrae, dándole al Cascanueces la oportunidad de vencer al Rey de los Ratones.
Para el deleite y asombro de Clara, el Cascanueces se transforma en un joven príncipe galán, que la lleva en un viaje encantado. La lleva a la Tierra de la Nieve, y entonces al bello Reino de la Hada del Ciruelo de Azúcar, donde Clara es entretenida por los bailes de muchas tierras.
La Hada del Ciruelo de Azúcar y su Caballero entonces bailan para Clara y el Príncipe. El Príncipe lleva a una Clara durmiente de nuevo a su casa, donde despierta insegura si su viaje mágico fue un sueño o realidad.