Magic Awaits at the Stahlbaum’s Holiday Party

The holiday spirit is strong in the studios at the Midtown Arts Center. Eugene Ballet dancers are hard at work rehearsing for six—three matinees and three evening—performances of Artistic Director Toni Pimble’s The Nutcracker with Orchestra Next at the Hult Center. Your favorite characters from the show are here to share with you some magical moments to look out for on the Silva Concert Hall stage!

Herr Drosselmeyer, The Nutcracker’s magical toy maker, eagerly awaits the Stahlbaum’s annual Holiday Party this December. It’s the perfect event of the season to show off the endless tricks up his sleeve, spoil children rotten with gifts, and perhaps even set a magical adventure in motion. “My newest inventions, a Mechanical Doll and Jack in the Box, will absolutely DELIGHT the guests at the party this year,” Drosselmeyer excitedly proclaimed. “I’m still working out some kinks… but they should be up to snuff in no time! Winking his unpatched eye, he mused, “Frau Stahlbaum and the Governess tell me that their darling Clara has been exceptionally good this year. Perhaps I will give her my favorite toy from my shop – a Nutcracker like no other!”

Clara shares the same uncontainable enthusiasm for the upcoming soirée, it is always her favorite night of the year. Not only does Clara get showered with gifts and adoration from her family and guests, but she also gets to spend time with Drosselmeyer’s charming nephew Hans. “I simply cannot wait for this year’s holiday festivities,” Clara exclaimed. “There is nothing like it! We eat all my favorite sweets from an abundant treat table, open splendid gifts, and dance the night away with my friends, my brother Fritz, and sometimes even Hans…” she said as she stared off wide-eyed. “What? A girl can dream!”

Speaking of dreams, The Mouse King and his posse of Pirate Mice have been training relentlessly for when Clara falls asleep after the party and their battle with the Nutcracker can commence. The meddling mice plan to make a grand entrance on their mighty ship, The HMS Pimble, proudly named after Toni Pimble herself. “With the help of my lovely Lady Mice and the fearsome Baby Mice, we are sure to give Clara quite the fright,” the Mouse King said with a booming laugh. “If all goes to plan… we should emerge victorious!”

Want to see who wins the battle and meet the rest of The Nutcracker’s cast of beloved characters? Grab your tickets HERE. for one of the six performances between December 21-26 at the Hult Center. You won’t want to miss the Snow King and Queen swirling and twirling with their Snowflakes in the Winter Land or the majestic Sugar Plum Fairy dancing with her Cavalier in the Land of the Sweets! Student and youth tickets are just $15 and adult tickets start at $25.