In this telling, the family’s holiday party reflects the Christmas traditions popular in Maryland during the 19th century. Clara’s gift from Uncle Drosselmeier isn’t just any toy–her German Nutcracker doll is an heirloom steeped in their family’s history. When Clara’s dreams transport her to the Annapolis Harbor during the War of 1812, the wicked Rat King and his crew are sailing into harbor to wage war against her Nutcracker. Amid tall ships and swirling fog, he and his fellow toy soldiers fight back. In the end, it is Clara who wins the day!

Many wonders await them as they journey through the shimmering Land of the Snowflakes, which resembles the snow-dusted historic garden of the William Paca House. Tiny crabs and oysters greet Clara as she enters the Land of the Sweets, where the charismatic Sugar Plum Fairy has been waiting for her. Each dance in the Sugar Plum’s realm represents a different confection that Clara might have enjoyed from shops on Annapolis’s Main Street: caramels, marzipan fruits, peppermints, popcorn, and cotton candy. 

You’ll delight in the Annapolis landmarks and the 19th-century delicacies that connect this production to the city’s history as a vibrant seaport and center of American life. With all-new sets and costumes as well as original choreography by Artistic Director Nicole Kelsch, this Nutcracker is a holiday treat for all ages!