Nov. 15th thru Jan. 12th

The Nutcracker on Horseback
The Noble Horse is proud to present the historical version of the Nutcracker on Horseback as it was done 175 years ago. This is the only theatre in North America that continues to perform this famous European tale on horseback.

The Story
ACT I
Our story begins in Frankfurt, Germany in 1815. It had been snowing all day and the village was transformed into a winter wonderland.

Herr Stahlbaum and his wife are giving a Christmas Party. One of their daughters, Clara, is greeting the guests who are arriving on horseback and passing out gifts to all. Suddenly, the mysterious Uncle Drosselmeyer arrives in his royal coach and entertains the guests with his magical horses and fabulous gifts.

Uncle Drosselmeyer brings a special gift for Clara - a wooden nutcracker. Clara is delighted with the beautiful present but in all the excitment, the toy is broken. Magically Uncle Drosselmeyer repairs the wooden nutcracker and places it carefully near the Christmas tree.

The party is over, the guests are leaving, and the Stahlbaums tuck the children in for the night. Soon Clara is awakened as a mouse runs through her room. The clock strikes midnight. Suddenly, the room is filled with a giant Christmas tree.

The toy soldiers come alive, led by her valiant Nutcracker. Giant mice led by The Mouse King attacks the toy soldiers and the Nutcracker. A fierce battle ensues. The Mouse King injures the nutcracker but Clara fights back and the toy soldiers win the battle. Clara cries for her Nutcracker and her tears bring him back to health.

The spell is broken and the Nutcracker turns back into a prince, who takes Clara on a long journey through the forest.The Sugar Plum Fairy appears and performs for Clara and the Nutcracker Prince as they arrive in an enchanted carriage.

ACT II
Clara and the Nutcracker Prince arrive in the Kingdom of Sweets where they enter the Grand Riding Hall. The Sugar Plum Fairy arranges entertainment from exotic lands from around the world:

- An elegant white horse quadrille from the mystical city of Vienna

- A fiery Andalusian stallion and his rider from Spain dance to festive music

- An enchanting Arabian horse gallops through the hot and lonely desert at night

- Exciting jumping horses fly through the air among giant candy canes

- Magnificent cossak riders from Russia bring their amazing talents of daring acrobatics on horseback

All of the beautiful horses and riders bid Clara goodbye and as the celebration draws to a close, she drifts off to sleep. She is awakened by Uncle Drosselmeyer who presents her with a beautiful white horse. She throws her arms around the horse and so ends the magical story of "The Nutcracker."