The Nutcracker--Mouse Queen's Revenge

[Copyrighted and registered WGA/w]

SYNOPSIS

St. Petersburg, Russia, December 18, 1892
(Action takes place on this one day and in real time with the events of that evening).

ACT I
Ivan, age 14, studies violin at conservatory. He seeks camaraderie with his care-free friends, but his overbearing father, concertmaster at the Maryinski Ballet, thinks Ivan should be more disciplined. Ivan spies from afar the lovely ballerina Catherina, also 14, but Father drags Ivan to the final dress rehearsal before opening night. Ivan sits in the musicians' pit next to father, turning his pages. Father wants Ivan to become a professional violinist. Tchaikovsky conducts.

We meet the strange Drosselmeier and his balletic pet mice. To the opening night ballet audience he is a cast member, an old man with a black eye patch and mystical powers. In reality, he possesses supernatural powers, but is easily manipulated. His only love is not for Natasha, his evil, wanna-be ballerina grand daughter, but for his pet mice.

Love-smitten Ivan watches Catherine outclass Natasha at the final audition. But Natasha is not finished; she will stop at nothing, including murder, to secure the role of “Clara,” the girl whose dream is the Nutcracker ballet. Ivan inadvertently manages to lock horns with macho-Boris, the arrogant 18 year old bully who plays the Nutcracker.

Natasha plots to kill Catherina on-stage, opening night. As originally choreographed, the mouse king almost "kills" Clara, but she is saved by the Nutcracker who "kills" the mouse king. According to Natasha's plan, and at her behest, Drosselmeier will grow his two favorite mice into 8 foot monsters, the “king” mouse will don the seven-headed mouse king costume and he will actually try to kill Catherina/Clara, but there is one complication. . .

Backstage, Ivan figures it out, but none of the adults believes him, nor does Catherine who thinks he's nuts. So Ivan must save his beloved Catherine against her will. He overpowers Boris, steals his costume, finds a real sword, and goes on stage to battle the rodential beast. The ballet audience is unaware of the drama unfolding on stage. Ivan appears to kill the monster mouse per original choreography, but in saving Catherina, he creates another mortal enemy, the 8-foot Mouse Queen. Catherina still thinks Ivan is crazy, she's unaware that he saved her life.

INTERMISSION AND ACT II
On and off stage during intermission and Act II, the vengeful Mouse Queen pursues Ivan and Catherina. Again, the ballet audience is unaware of the on-stage drama. The pursuit is choreographed to a popular version of the Nutcracker. It’s not until the very end, when the young couple is lifted on a sled above the stage, that Catherine realizes that Ivan was right, but it’s almost too late. The Mouse Queen and a wounded, but still alive Mouse King, are in hot pursuit. The Queen jumps into the sled to kill them both, but the Queen falls to her “death.” Catherina kisses Ivan, they are safe and in love. The ballet audience never knew what happened.

FINALE
Catherine and Ivan take their bows to thunderous applause. Along the footlights, the two "dead" monster mice have been transformed back to cute normal sized mice; they kiss and take their bows. In the musician's pit Ivan's dad gives Ivan a standing ovation.

==================================================================================

FADE IN:

[[[Please open links in a second window so you can hear/see while reading]]]

BEGIN OVERTURE

EXT. ST. PETERSBURG - DAY

Through LUMINESCENT SNOW FLURRIES, RUSSIAN-BAROQUE architecture.

SUPER: "SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA, 1892"

BEAUTY SHOTS

sun-gilded polychromed onion domes, spires, Winter Palace (Hermitage), Alexander's Column in Palace Square, The Bronze Horseman.

The frozen Neva River, its canals and quays CRADLED in red GRANITE embankments. Stone bridges adorned by gilded griffins.

OVERTURE OUT

EXT. SAINT PETERSBURG CONSERVATORY

Block-long, neoclassical behemoth.

BEGIN TCHAIKOVSKY VIOLIN CONCERTO

INT. CONSERVATORY AUDITORIUM

Student orchestra plays. IVAN (bespectacled, age 15) sits next to the conductor in the "concert master's" seat. He plays virtuoso violin, allegro vivacissimo.

VIOLIN CONCERTO OUT

EXT. SAINT PETERSBURG CONSERVATORY - LATER

Teenage students exit, carrying instruments. In the midst of the throng, Ivan and VLADY exit--they "fence" using their violin bows while carrying their instrument cases. Ivan's FOOTWORK is extraordinary.

The THUNDER of horse hooves interrupts them. Red-jacketed Cossacks gallop pass. In the swirling snow is

CATHERINA, a lovely 15-year-old. She glides by in SLOW MOTION. Ivan is transfixed.
Vlady "impales" him with the violin bow.

VLADY
Touché!

Ivan spins around.

IVAN
Hey!

Ivan quickly looks back, but Catherina's disappeared.

A group of neighborhood boys, ice skates slung over their shoulders, call to Ivan and Vlady.

NEIGHBORHOOD BOYS
C'mon. We're going skating.

Ivan and Vlady join the group. They walk toward the Neva River.

BOY 1
We're going over to the river--

BOY 2
--To ice skate--

BOY 3
--and check out the girls.

VLADY
Great!
(to Ivan)
Let's go Ivan!

Ivan stops short.

IVAN
I can't.

Ivan places his violin bow back in its case.

IVAN
I have to meet my father.

BOY 1
Ooo, the Maryinski Theatre needs its maestro--
BOY 2
(falsetto)
--And those pretty ballerinas sigh when Maestro Ivan walks by.

Boy 2 mimics a step. Boy 3 pretends to play the violin.

Vlady grabs Ivan's violin case.

The boys run to the river tossing it like a football.

IVAN
Hey, give it back.

Ivan runs after them.

NEVSKY PROSPEKT

The boys zig-zag along the historic boulevard, flanked by large 18th and 19th Century buildings.

VOSTANIYA SQUARE

The boys pass leafleting revolutionaries. A large sign reads "WORKERS UNITE" over ANTON, the protesters' young leader.

Anton leads the chant.

ANTON AND PROTESTERS
Workers rights, we must unite! Workers rights, we must unite!

NEVA RIVER BRIDGE

All the boys, except Ivan, slide down a 20-foot rope to the frozen river.

Vlady hands Ivan the violin case.

VLADY
I'm going to join them. You coming?

IVAN
But, but I told you--I have to meet my--my fath--
Vlady slides down the rope then looks up to Ivan.

VLADY
C'mon Ivan. Don't be chicken.

A girl skates by Vlady. She smiles at him.

VLADY
(to Ivan)
See ya!

Vlady skates after her. Ivan nervously straddles the railing; hands shake on rope.

The protesters run onto the bridge, Cossacks gallop in hot pursuit. They make arrests and chase Anton who runs into Ivan.

ANTON
(shouting)
Move! Let me by.

Ivan looks down, trembles, then looks up to see the approaching Cossacks.

IVAN
But, but--

ANTON
--Go!

Ivan slides down the rope, Anton slides after him, but Ivan stops, just half way down. The rope swings wildly, side-to-side in the WIND.

IVAN
Help!

Anton jumps off the rope, lands hard, struggles getting up, clutches his arm and runs.

Ivan clings to the rope and hears the shouting Cossacks on the bridge. He's jerked upward as the rope is pulled up to the bridge.

IVAN
Listen, I'm no protester--

A hand grabs Ivan's collar and pulls him up.
Ivan looks up nervously, but it's his FATHER, a robust man.

IVAN
Dad!

FATHER
What are you doing on that rope? Performing some circus act?

IVAN
Dad, it's you! I thought you were one of the Cossacks!

FATHER
You are now...

He checks his watch.

FATHER
18 minutes and 47 seconds late for rehearsal. You gave me your word. Instead, I had to scour all of St. Petersburg. Where do I find you? Mixed up with these... these refuseniks.

He picks up Ivan's violin case.

IVAN
I had nothing to do with them. Honest, I--

FATHER
--Come with me this instant.

He shoves the violin case into Ivan's arms and hurries off.

FATHER
Presto! Presto!

Ivan follows.

INT. MARYINSKY THEATRE

AUDITORIUM
ROCOCO SPLENDOR--A heavily-gilded, five-ring, 1,700-seat, imperial edifice with Michelangelo-like murals and a chandelier the size of Rhode Island. The "house" is empty.

The tiered, brocaded, gold and red house curtain is in its "down" position.

AUDITORIUM - ORCHESTRA PIT

The orchestra is silent; everyone nervously looks around. The conductor, PETER ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY, checks his pocket watch. Looks up, pauses, taps his baton metronomically on the lectern. He raises the baton.

Ivan's father barrels through the musician's door (under the stage apron) followed by Ivan.

Father scrambles to his "Concert Master" seat next to the conductor. Ivan sits next to him.

TCHAIKOVSKY
So glad you could honor us with your presence, Maestro.

He holds up the baton, then the DOWN BEAT.

BEGIN "TREPAK"

They REHEARSE the lusty Russian folk dance. Ivan turns the pages for his dad.

AUDITORIUM - IMPERIAL BOX

Two mice, one with a black patch over his left eye, dance spiritedly on the railing of the royal gold and white IMPERIAL BOX.



BACK TO PIT

The tempo gathers momentum. At the last measure, Father's "e" string SNAPS.

It "TWANGS." SILENCE.

BACK TO IMPERIAL BOX
The mice look at each other and HOLD their noses and shake their heads. The mouse with a patch scurries off.



BACK TO PIT

Musicians look around and clear their throats. Tchaikovsky glares at Father.

TCHAIKOVSKY
Thank you for your unique interpretation of my music.

Father hands Ivan the broken string.

DAD
(stage whisper)
Ivan, get me another string. In the music room. Quick!

BACK TO IMPERIAL BOX

DROSSELMEIER (tall, gaunt, and wrinkled with a black PATCH over his eye) approaches the remaining mouse.

DROSSELMEYER
There you are my naughty lovely.

He picks her up.

BACK TO PIT

Ivan exits under the stage apron into

BACKSTAGE

The musicians' locker room and opens the door to the MUSIC ROOM. In addition to sheet music and supplies, it contains a strange elevator-like contraption.

Drosselmeier's black-patched mouse DARTS in front of him. Ivan jumps backwards and lands in the elevator, reaches out to brace himself, and accidentally pushes a button. It LURCHES up.

ON-STAGE--BEHIND HOUSE CURTAIN
Stagehands "hang" the show.

They "fly" scenery with pulleys, ropes, battens, sandbag counterweights, lower a GIANT CHRISTMAS TREE, then check TRAP DOORS, stage rear.

STAGEHAND 1
Again, no extra pay for overtime.

STAGEHAND 2
It's like we're still serfs.

STAGEHAND 1
Lenin's calling for a general strike.

STAGEHAND 2
But he's in jail--

Stage Hand 2 is interrupted by the gaffer, Anton (with clip board and arm in sling from earlier mishap at the bridge). He stands on a "fly gallery," high above the stage floor.

ANTON
(shouting)
--OK, that's enough. Back to work. The walls have ears!

A 4X4 section of the stage rises. Ivan rides in the "elevator trap"--the top of the elevator is a 4X4 stage floor "trap."

ANTON
You never know who might--

He notices the elevator trap.

ANTON
--pop up.

Ivan is on-stage, unable to move, blocked by the Christmas tree.

IVAN
Whoops!

STAGEHAND 1
Who said that?

He examines the tree.
STAGEHAND 1
It sounds like it's coming from here.

STAGEHAND 2
A talking Christmas tree? Lay off the vodka.

Anton grabs onto a "fly" rope, and "rides the line" down as the Christmas tree ascends, slowing his descent.

Ivan watches the tree lift off the ground. He stands center stage, uncamouflaged.

ANTON
Hey you! What are you doing here?

IVAN
I'm trying to find--Don't I know you?

Anton nervously hurries Ivan along.

ANTON
You belong downstairs. That's where you'll find the other dancers.

IVAN
But I'm not a dance--

Anton grabs Ivan's arm, eyeballs him.

ANTON
We've never met, understand?

A confused Ivan walks to the elevator trap. Anton grabs him again.

ANTON
No, not that way.

IVAN
But my father needs--

Anton pushes him into the wings.

ANTON
--Dancers! All their brains are in their feet.

BACKSTAGE HALLWAY
Ivan walks cautiously, lost in a catacomb of hallways. He toys with the broken violin string.

IVAN
(to himself)
Where's that music room?

VOICE
Now, you Mouse King, advance, good, en garde.

Ivan looks into a rehearsal room. He watches BORIS, a handsome, muscular young man (about 18), in the NUTCRACKER costume and "MOUSE KING," the seven-headed, eight-foot rodent played by Sergei, an adult dancer.

REHEARSAL ROOM

Assistant balletmaster LEV IVANOV choreographs a sword fight. The dancers follow his direction. A pianist accompanies.

LEV IVANOV
Now Nutcracker, get ready to defend. Good. Mouse King, attack! Now both parry. Nice. You Mouse King, remise. Then Nutcracker, you riposte. Very good. Mouse King, feint. Both parry, now, counter-parry. Correct. Then Nutcracker, you fall. And Mouse King, raise your sword over him.

Ivanov stands behind Mouse King holding a ballet slipper over his head.

LEV IVANOV
Now this is where Clara throws her slipper.

Ivanov throws the slipper at Mouse King. It grazes his back and hits

Ivan's GLASSES, knocking them off.

Boris leaps up, sword in-hand.

LEV IVANOV
Now Mouse King, turn around and run to Clara. I'll be Clara.
Mouse King runs to Ivanov; holds his sword over him.

LEV IVANOV
Now this is where Nutcracker stabs Mouse King.

Boris, about to plunge his rehearsal sword into Ivanov, notices Ivan crawling on the floor, looking for his glasses.

BORIS
(to Ivan)
How dare you spy on my rehearsal!

Ivan quickly dons his glasses and stands. Boris struts to Ivan, but STOPS SHORT to check his image in the mirror. He turns to Ivan.

BORIS
(snaps)
Who are you--what are you doing here?

IVAN
I... I...

BORIS
If I ever catch you sneaking around here again...

Boris points the "sword" threateningly at Ivan. Ivan backs out of the room.

Boris pushes Ivan with the sword into the...

HALLWAY

BORIS
I'll slice you into--

Boris thrusts the sword at Ivan.

BORIS
Stroganoff!

Ivan leaps backwards and accidentally stumbles into ...

BALLET STUDIO
Catherina, interrupting her dance. She trips and falls. In b.g., ten girls (about Ivan's age) wear leotards and tights (like Catherina). They stand along the barre in front of wall-length mirrors.

The REHEARSAL PIANIST stops playing.

BALLETMASTER MARIUS PETIPA (age 73) frowns.

Ivan is stunned, embarrassed.

CATHERINA
Would you be a galant and help me up?

He awkwardly helps her up. She curtseys and smiles.

CATHERINA
Merci.

The other ballerinas GIGGLE.

Blushing Ivan dashes out.

HALLWAY

He runs a few feet, then returns to the ballet studio doorway. He PEEKS in unnoticed.

BALLETMASTER PETIPA
(French accent)
Catherina, you may continue.
(to rehearsal pianist)
Maestro?

Catherina dances EXQUISITELY. Ivan is smitten by her, he stares ENRAPTURED.


BEGIN SONG 1: Ivan sings "Catherina" [Ivan/Catherina dance fantasy]

SONG OUT, Ivan returns to reality.

BALLETMASTER PETIPA
Tres bien, ma petite chou-chou. I think you are ready for a major role.

Petipa holds her hands.

BALLETMASTER PETIPA
You are to dance Clara in Maestro Tchaikovsky's new ballet, "The Nutcracker."

The girls surround and congratulate Catherina, except NATASHA (sultry, age 16), who stands apart. She ANGRILY grips and twists her "pointe" slippers.

Boris pushes past Ivan. He STRUTS in like a peacock.

BORIS
Ah, the sound of rapturous adulation. Here I am.

The girls swarm around him.

BALLERINA 1
Catherina's got the part!

BALLERINA 2
She's going to play Clara!

BORIS
(to Catherina)
My new prima ballerina.

He takes her hand.

BORIS
What a fortunate girl to have such a handsome star.

Boris kisses her hand, but she watches Ivan in the doorway. He drops the violin string and walks away dejectedly. She follows and Picks up the violin string. She ties the string on his finger.

CATHERINA
Here, so you'll remember.

They gaze into each other's eyes. Then startled by SHATTERING glass. Catherina runs into the rehearsal room doorway as Natasha runs out, almost knocking her (Catherina) over.

BALLET STUDIO
Catherina joins the startled group. Their images are fractured as they examine the broken wall mirror.

BACKSTAGE STAIRWAY

Gothic.

Natasha RUNS downstairs.

DISSOLVE TO:

INSIDE SNOW GLOBE

Natasha RUNS downstairs, water-distorted.

BOILER ROOM

Natasha's image is in a SNOW GLOBE. It sits next to Drosselmeier.

The room is cavernous, sooty, with a catwalk above. A fire HISSES in the giant boiler.

Next to the snow globe, Drosselmeier dresses his two pet mice in tiny lederhosen costumes. He looks into the snow globe.

INSIDE SNOW GLOBE

Natasha reaches for a door.

BOILER ROOM

Natasha RUNS into the room CRYING.

NATASHA
Papa, Papa, Papa!

Frightened, the two mice SCURRY off the table.

DROSSELMEYER
Now, now dear, didn't I tell you not to come barging in? You scared the mousikins.

Drosselmeier SEARCHES the room. Natasha STAMPS her foot.

NATASHA
Catherina, Catherina, Catherina. Why is it always Catherina!?

DROSSELMEYER
Watch where you're stepping--oh!

He SPOTS the mice.

NATASHA
I could kill that Catherina.

He SCOOPS up the mice and pets them.

DROSSELMEYER
(to the mice)
There you are my little kazatskys.

He makes "KISSY" sounds.

NATASHA
You haven't listened to a word I said! I'm telling you about Catherina. She stole my part. The part of Clara in the Nutcracker. That was mine!

Drosselmeier finishes dressing the mice in their lederhosen costumes.

NATASHA
And that conceited peacock, Boris, was congratulating her too.

She struts around, imitating him, kissing her own hand.

DROSSELMEYER
There, there Natasha. I'm sure there'll be other Boris's--I mean parts.

He places the mice inside an elaborate cuckoo clock. He ignores her.

NATASHA
But I want that part. I have to play Clara. I have to! If I don't, I'll just die--Papa, will you stop playing with those furry freaks. They can't help. They're useless!
The "cuckoo" clock STRIKES THREE. The two mice dressed in LEDERHOSEN (like Hansel and Gretel)

MARCH around the clock.

NATASHA
Oh, you make me so furious.

Drosselmeier looks up to see Natasha about to SMASH the snow globe.

DROSSELMEYER
No!

He stops her.

DROSSELMEYER
Breaking it will destroy my magic.

NATASHA
Your magic! All your so-called magical powers are wasted on your stupid experiments. It's never for me. What good are these ridiculous mice? They can't help me get the part I want in the Nutcracker, can they? Huh?

Drosselmeier looks up with a

MANIACAL GRIN.

DROSSELMEYER
Au contraire, ma chère.

DROSSELMEYER
(singing)
I HAVE A PLAN.

NATASHA
(singing)
REALLY?

DROSSELMEYER
(singing)
WHERE YOU'LL LAND YOUR MAN.

NATASHA
(singing)
BUT IT'S THE PART.
DROSSELMEYER
(singing)
I KNOW.

NATASHA
(singing)
THAT'S REALLY IN MY HEART.

DROSSELMEYER
(singing)
THEN USE SOME MAGIC.

NATASHA
(singing)
HOW?

DROSSELMEYER
(singing)
AND YOUR FUTURE WON'T BE TRAGIC.

NATASHA
What can you possibly be thinking?

DROSSELMEYER
(singing)
THERE'S A MOUSE KING IN THE PERFORMANCE

ONE WHO'S SUPPOSED TO BE

ENORMOUS

SEE THESE CRITTERS, MY LITTLE MICEY

LOOK HOW THEY'RE GROWING UP SO NICELY

BUT I CAN MAKE THEM BOTH
GIGANTIC

SO DARLING NATASHA, DON'T YOU
PANIC.

NATASHA
So we make these mice big. What's the point?
DROSSELMEYER
(singing)
WHEN THE MOUSE KING DIES
IT'LL STILL BE PRETEND
BUT THE PERSON WHO'LL REALLY COME TO HER END
WLL BE THE GIRL WHO PLAYS CLARA.

NATASHA
Catherina!?

DROSSELMEYER
(singing)
THEN OUR OWN MOUSE KING WILL FLEE-- AND SHRINK DOWN TO SIZE--NO ONE THE WISER THAT HE--

NATASHA
--the murderer--

DROSSELMEYER
(singing)
WAS ALIVE!

NATASHA
(singing)
WE'LL TURN THE BALLET ON ITS HEAD--WITH CATHERINA WHO IS DEAD!

DROSSELMEYER
(singing)
THE ROLE WILL BE YOURS.

NATASHA
(singing)
OH, PAPA! J'ADORE!

DROSSELMEYER
(singing)
THE MOUSE WILL DO OUR KILLING--

NATASHA
(singing)
THIS REALLY IS TOO THRILLING--

DROSSELMEYER
Shhh! Not a word to anyone.

NATASHA
I swear.
DROSSELMEYER
Now let's see.

He presses his good eye against the SNOW GLOBE. "Hansel and Gretel" mice GROW inside.

Drosselmeier and Natasha both look up AWESTRUCK. She GASPS.

The mice are eight feet tall.

DROSSELMEYER
Voilà. There!

Drosselmeier hands MOUSE KING a SWORD and MOUSE QUEEN a CROWN.

EXT. THEATRE SQUARE - NIGHT

Large, gaslit public square surrounded by public buildings.

The MARYINSKY THEATRE draws closer, a moon-lit neoclassical blue and white wedding cake structure.

SUPER: "CHRISTMAS EVE"

Church bells RING.

Aristocratic theatergoers exit their luxurious horse-drawn sleighs with liveries in red uniforms.

A fancy coach arrives drawn by a team of white horses. It resembles an enormous FABERGE EGG.

LIVERIES roll out a red carpet.

LIVERY
Make way for the Tzar.

The door opens.

INT. MARYINSKY THEATRE

AUDITORIUM - ORCHESTRA PIT
The orchestra WARMS UP. Ivan's father glances at Ivan's empty seat; he looks around worried.

AUDITORIUM

The chandelier descends to just above the seats. A white-wigged "snuff boy" lights it. The flame quickly encircles the chandelier (as it's supposed to). DAZZLING. The chandelier ascends to the ceiling.

BACKSTAGE

Opening night pandemonium.

Ivan stands in the wings, stage right. He clutches a ROSE. Dancers warm up on-stage. Dancers rub their slippers in a "rosin box."

Ivan spots Catherina in the wings, stage left.

IVAN
Catherina!

Catherina looks around.

Ivan waves the rose. She smiles at him. He navigates through the hubbub when

Boris SWOOPS on-stage. He blocks Ivan's way.

BORIS
Attention everyone.

Young ballerinas swoon around the studmuffin.

BORIS
I have to practice my--

He notices Ivan's rose.

BORIS
--for me?

Boris plucks it out of Ivan's hand.

BORIS
Too kind.
(a beat)
BORIS
My bow.

Boris does an elaborate, slow bow. The ballerinas coo.

BORIS
Magnificent. I am ready.

Boris throws the rose to the ballerinas. Ivan snatches it away.

IVAN
Catherina!

Ivan makes his way to Catherina. As he approaches, Anton lifts up Catherina by her waist. They LAUGH and embrace.

Ivan stares. Dejected, he places the rose in his pocket.

STAGE MANAGER walks on stage, CLAPPING his hands.

STAGE MANAGER
Places, everyone.

Dancers take their positions.

ORCHESTRA PIT

Ivan's Seat is empty, dad's still worried.

BACKSTAGE

Ivan panics.

IVAN
Ohmygod, I'll be late!

He runs past the lighting man at the "gas table," a complicated maze of pipes and valves that control the gaslights.

Pipes HISS as the lighting man turns the valves.

Lights flicker.
Ivan, stage left, cracks open the house curtain a tiny crack. House lights dim on the audience. A HUSH falls over the crowd.

He sees his empty seat in the orchestra pit.

IVAN
(to himself)
Father will kill me.

He looks at the spotlight booth, above the top tier of the auditorium.

SPOTLIGHT BOOTH

A workman inspects the Klieglight, checking the carbon rods. He dons heavy protective glasses and pulls down a large lever (like Dr. Frankenstein). Electricity arcs between the rods. Near white out.

SCREEN BLACK

BACKSTAGE

From Ivan's POV:

The SPOTLIGHT illuminates and follows Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky who steps onto the podium.

He bows then motions to the Tzar's BOX.

Still from Ivan's POV:

The spotlight "washes" TZAR ALEXANDER III in the royal gold and white BOX.

The Tzar wears a resplendent Hussar uniform with blazing decorations. The TZARINA is sumptuously attired in billowing white satin and diamond tiara.

Two large, uniformed COSSACK "LIFE GUARDS" stand behind the royal couple.

The Tzar and Tzarina smile to the crowd and whisper.
TZARINA
Did you arrest those roughnecks?

TZAR
You mean refuseniks.

TZARINA
Whatever.

TZAR
Yes, dear.


The Tzar STANDS,

UNSHEATHES his sword, and SALUTES the audience--the sword outstretched from his body.

The sword REFLECTS into Ivan's EYES. Ivan squints and backs away from the curtain.

AUDITORIUM

SPOT LIGHT OUT

BEGIN OVERTURE

The house is dark, footlights barely illuminate the orchestra.

BACK STAGE

OVERTURE in b.g.

Ivan hurries back to his seat. He runs, but gets lost among the endless maze of hallways.

AUDITORIUM

OVERTURE OUT

From ballet audience's POV:

The house curtain RISES.

ON STAGE - BALLET-IN-PROGRESS

NOTE: ALL ON-STAGE SCENES TO ORIGINAL SCORE

BEGIN "LIGHTING OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE"
19th CENTURY DRAWING ROOM

Opulent, rose-colored. Brocaded furniture, tall candelabras, grandfather clock crowned with an owl.

Children FROLIC around a CHRISTMAS TREE. They TRIM the tree.

BACK STAGE

Music faintly in b.g.

Exasperated Ivan approaches a stairway, but stops abruptly when he hears an unerving, inhuman SQUEAL.

On the landing below, he sees Drosselmeier's MOUSE KING, the eight-foot, lederhosen-clad rodent.

INTERCUT Ivan's reaction.

Mouse King confronts Sergei in his SEVEN-HEADED MOUSE KING COSTUME. Mouse King ropes his tail around Sergei's neck. He DRAGS off the helpless Sergei.

MOUSE KING
(Cockney accent)
You won't be needin' a costume for where you're going.

Ivan overhears a SCUFFLE, muffled SCREAM, and BONES CRUNCHING.

MOUSE KING (O.S.)
Say "cheese."

Mouse King reappears. He PICKS his teeth with a BONE then BELCHES.

He HOLDS the seven-headed COSTUME against himself as if CLOTHES SHOPPING.

MOUSE KING
They don't carry anything like this at the Big and Tall Man's Shop.
HORRIFIED Ivan RACES back to the wings. Anton grabs him by the collar, mid-stride.

ANTON
You again!

IVAN
Wait a second--

ANTON
You should be ready to go on stage.

IVAN
Wait a second, let go--

Anton pushes him toward a door.

ANTON
Just put on your costume.

Ivan wheels around, facing Anton.

IVAN
(sputtering)
A mouse... uh, a humongous mouse just killed the Mouse King!

Ivan pulls Anton toward the stairway.

IVAN
Hurry, he'll escape.

Drosselmeier's Mouse King wears the "seven-headed" "MOUSE KING" costume. He WAVES at Stage Hand 1 from below.

ANTON
That's Sergei in his Mouse King costume, you doofus.

IVAN
No, no, that's not really Sergei. Sergei is just, just, mouse droppings by now. There's a real mouse under that costume. I'm not kidding!

ANTON
Look kid. Quit bugging me. I told you--wait! Oh, I get it, "mouse droppings." Here.
Anton hands Ivan a "WORKERS UNITE" flier. He bear hugs Ivan, kisses both cheeks.

ANTON
Welcome, comrade.

Anton exits. Ivan rolls his eyes, stuffs the flier in his pocket.

Ivan looks down the stairs. Mouse King has vanished.

ON-STAGE

CHRISTMAS TREE OUT

BEGIN THE "MARCH"

Children dance the famous march.

BACK STAGE

Music in b.g.

Ivan cautiously DESCENDS the stairway to investigate.

MUSIC OUT

He searches the subterranean labyrinth of dimly-lit, barrel-vaulted hallways. Crumbling plaster reveals wooden slats. Medieval wooden doors run along the sides, pipes run above.

He hears steam pipes HISS, water FLOW, wood CREAK.


BOILER ROOM

Drosselmeyer's giant MOUSE QUEEN wears her "Heidi" cuckoo clock outfit. She MUNCHES on a massive CHEESE WHEEL impaled on a giant sword.

Mouse King WIGGLES his claws/toes in front of a MIRROR, checking out the costume.

Both mice have COCKNEY ACCENTS.
MOUSE KING
How'd I look?

MOUSE QUEEN
Smashing. Simply smashing. Handsome as the day we was wed. Just like when you were a mere stripling of a mouse.

Mouse Queen HUGS the King, but her arms won't fit around his AMPLE BELLY.

MOUSE KING
I'm not going to be a cuckoo in Drosselmeier's clock no more. No siree. After we pull off this job we're gonna blow this joint. We's big enough now.

MOUSE QUEEN
But sweetie, we wouldn't be this big in the first place if not for ol' Drossie's magic.

MOUSE KING
We was tiny when he wanted us to be, and larger than life only for his own twisted purposes.

Mouse Queen CHOMPS on the cheese wheel.

MOUSE KING
And you'll be even larger eating that snack. You're gonna bust right out of that outfit of yours.

MOUSE QUEEN
That's good because I don't want to look like bloomin' Heidi anymore. Wait, I've got something special. Be back in a tick.

She exits.

Mouse King GRABS the cheese wheel. EATS from it.

Mouse Queen enters, RADIANT in her sparkling pink TUTU.
Cheese DROPS from his mouth.

MOUSE KING
Blimey! You look like a princess. A furry, fairy princess. Now I remember why I'm over-the-moon in love with you.

They rub noses and tickle each other's whiskers.

ON STAGE - BALLET-IN-PROGRESS

BEGIN "ARRIVAL OF DROSSELMEIER"

LIGHTS DIM. The grandfather clock chimes, and owl flaps its wings. Drosselmeier enters to SINISTER, FRIGHTENING music. The footlighs flicker.

Drosselmeier presents gifts to the children. He OPENS two large, fancy gift boxes.

HARLEQUIN and COLUMBINE puppets dance a comic pas de deux.

He opens third box. A "WIND-UP SOLDIER" does a lively, DIABOLICAL dance.

MUSIC OUT

BACK STAGE--BASEMENT HALLWAY

Ivan hears muffled voices behind a dwarf access door. He crouches down, gingerly turns the handle, slowly opens the door, and CRAWLS onto a

SUBTERRANEAN CATWALK

over the BOILER ROOM. He spies the activities below.

BOILER ROOM

Mouse Queen POURS two STEAMING drinks from a giant SAMOVAR.


MOUSE QUEEN
Here you go luvy, steamy hot vodka.

They hold up their glasses.

MOUSE KING
As soon as I kill Catherina, we'll lam it out of here and--

She stands on "POINTE."

MOUSE QUEEN
--and star in my own production of Swan Lake!

MOUSE KING
I'll drink to that.

They gulp the Vodka and throw their glasses into the furnace. He fills two new glasses.

MOUSE KING
And, I'll star in my own production of...

Mouse King YANKS the sword from the cheese wheel.

MOUSE KING
... the Sword in the cheese--uh, Stone. We'll sell the rights to Disney.

MOUSE QUEEN
They already have a mouse, Sweetie.

They laugh, down the vodka, smash the glasses and pour another round.

IVAN looks on, puzzled.


Song 3 "Human Beans"

SINGING

MOUSE KING
AND WHAT'S FOR DINNER, DEARIE?
MOUSE QUEEN
UH, HUMAN BEANS?

MOUSE KING
FIT FOR QUEENS.

MOUSE QUEEN
HOMO SAPIEN SOUFFLE?

MOUSE KING
OLÉ!

MOUSE QUEEN
PEOPLE PORRIDGE!

MOUSE KING
WAIT!

MOUSE QUEEN
WHAT'S WRONG?

MOUSE KING
BLIMEY, THAT'S HARD TO RHYME.

MOUSE QUEEN
OK, THAT'S FINE.

MOUSE KING
WELL DONE, WELL DONE.

They toast.

MOUSE KING
A TOAST TO CATHERINA.

MOUSE QUEEN
OR CATHERINA ON TOAST--DON'T FORGET THE RUSSIAN DRESSING.

MOUSE KING
A FINAL TRIBUTE TO HER FIRST--

MOUSE QUEEN
--AND LAST--

MOUSE KING
--PERFORMANCE.

MOUSE QUEEN
--PERFORMANCE.

SONG OUT

Ivan is AGHAST.
They LAUGH, SWILL the booze, and SMASH their glasses into the furnace.

CATWALK

Ivan scurries along the catwalk to the HALLWAY.
He runs wildly, finds a stairway and zooms up.

ON STAGE - BALLET-IN-PROGRESS

RESUME MUSIC-IN-PROGRESS

Drosselmeier displays a TOY NUTCRACKER.
He presents it to Catherina. Her "brother" Fritz GRABS it away, STOMPS on it.
Drosselmeier repairs it with a SLING.

BACK STAGE--DRESSING ROOM HALLWAY

Ivan frantically READS NAMES off the dressing room DOORS:

"SUGAR PLUM FAIRY"

IVAN
(to himself)
Sugar Plum Fairy.

"CLARA"

IVAN
(to himself)
Clara.

Finally, a door marked

"NUTCRACKER"

Ivan BANGS on the door.

BORIS (O.S.)
Entre.

Ivan rushes in.
BORIS
Hey! You--

IVAN
--Listen, you may not believe this but there's going to be a murder on stage--I mean a real murder with Catherina as the Mouse King's victim--I don't mean Sergei the Mouse King, but a real Mouse King--I don't mean a real, real Mouse King but a mouse who is real and even larger than Sergei, really enormous--anyway Catherina, Clara, you know, what she is on stage, is going to be killed, and since you are the only other person on stage, you got to, got to, save her. Understand?

BORIS
(a beat)
You are crazy. Get out.

IVAN
No, no, believe me, it's true. I heard a plot being hatched by the Mouse King and his, his, I don't know what you'd call her, Mouse Queen.

BORIS
Mouse Queen? What Mouse Queen? There are no girlie mice in this ballet.

IVAN
That's what I'm saying. These rodents are for real! Drosselmeyer used magic to make them huge and they're going to murder--

BORIS
--Stop! Enough of this jibber jabber. Buzz off and don't--

IVAN
--You stuck up moron! I'm telling you that Catherina, your prima ballerina is in danger!

Boris grabs his "sword."
BORIS
And I'm telling you that this is make believe in your head. Dreams! Fantasy! Nothing is authentic. See? Nothing is real.

Boris points "sword" at Ivan.

BORIS
Even this weapon which you think can kill you. Look!

Boris pretends to stab Ivan and LAUGHS.

BORIS
It's fake. Like everything. Including your story. Now scramsky!

Boris pushes Ivan into the Hallway.

IVAN
(screaming)
I'll save her myself!

BOILER ROOM

BEGIN "PAS DE DUEX" [out of sequence]

Mouse King and Queen hear music, look around.

MOUSE QUEEN
Oh Mousikins, they're playing our song.

ZAFTIG Mouse Queen and DRUNKEN Mouse King dance and

BUNGLE

the famous, romantic grand pas de deux. He drops her during the final step, a "fish dive."

"PAS DE DUEX" OUT

MOUSE KING
Whoopsies.

MOUSE QUEEN
Are you all right, my mouse cavalier? You seem a bit tipsy.
Mouse Queen ADJUSTS his costume as if sending "hubby" off to work.

MOUSE KING
Tipsy, whipsy.

Natasha opens the door.

NATASHA
Are you ready?

Mouse King UNSHEATHES the sword, SMASHES it on the concrete wall. It POCK-MARKS the wall.

MOUSE KING
Ready enough, eh?

NATASHA
Ata boy. Now, as soon as you kill Catherina, you come straight back here.

MOUSE QUEEN
You sure they won't follow him?

NATASHA
I told you, my father will turn you back into tiny mice again so you can hide, at least for the time being. Got that?

MOUSE KING
I know. We be mini-mice for a spell. But tonight, I'm gonna be
(a beat)
a rat!

NATASHA
You're a soused mouse, alright.

Mouse King BELCHES. He CLIMBS the stairs with Natasha.

DRESSING ROOM HALLWAY

Boris exits his dressing room. He wears his red Nutcracker jacket and carries the Nutcracker "head piece." He sees what appears to be Sergei in his seven-headed mouse costume climb the stairs with Natasha.
Natasha hoists the tipsy Mouse King up the stairs. They stop at a landing. Boris is about to greet "Sergei" when...

MOUSE KING removes his seven-headed mask to wipe sweat off his brow with his paw.

NATASHA
Next time, lay off the schnapps.

Boris is shocked. He FAINTS.

NATASHA
(to Mouse King)
Quick, get to the wings.

Mouse King climbs the stairs, out of sight. Natasha kneels next to Boris. She slaps his face to wake him.

NATASHA
Boris, Boris, wake up!

He opens his eyes.

BORIS
A monster mouse! I'm scared.

He holds Natasha quivering.

NATASHA
There, there. The bad mouse is gone. He's already in the wings. He can't hurt you.

BORIS
OK, mommy--hey, wait a second!

He leaps up with bravado.

BORIS
What do you mean "in the wings?" He's going on stage!?

NATASHA
Um. Listen, you've got to get ready and I've got to go--

She dashes for a dressing room marked "CLARA." She enters, but Boris prevents her from shutting the door. He barges in.
DRESSING ROOM

BORIS
--That annoying kid with the cockamamie story was right.

NATASHA
Kid? What kid? Look, I can explain--

BORIS
--I saw you, I saw you with my own eyes with that, that giant mal à propos with whiskers! What's going on? Tell me!

NATASHA
He's Sergei's uh, um, understudy.

BORIS
You think you can pee down my leg and make me believe it's snow?

NATASHA
And I'm going on for Catherina.

BORIS
You? They wouldn't have you deliver coffee on stage, much less dance. Tell me the truth, or I see to it that the only role you'll ever get is a bialy. In fact, I'm going to Petipa right now--

NATASHA
--Wait! I'll tell you the whole story.

DRESSING ROOM HALLWAY

The door marked "NUTCRACKER" is open. Ivan looks down the hallway, ducks in.

NUTCRACKER DRESSING ROOM

Ivan rifles through several costumes. He DONS a red Hussar jacket and matching pants.

He grabs the fake sword and knocks the broadside against his fist. He shakes his head.

IVAN
This is hopeless.

Ivan notices the TZAR's PORTRAIT in the mirror; it's on the opposite wall. He turns to look at it.

FLASHBACK

ALEXANDER III SALUTES with his

GLISTENING Sword.

IVAN
Of course, the Tzar's sword!

END FLASHBACK

Ivan quickly tosses the fake sword.

BACK TO CLARA'S DRESSING ROOM

BORIS
Such a greedy girl. And so lucky to have your papa Drosselmeyer take orders from you. But, you see, I'm not your father.

NATASHA
If you keep our secret, you'll be rewarded.

BORIS
What's in it for me?

NATASHA
Money?

BORIS
Nyet. Mother and I have plenty to live on.

NATASHA
Love?

BORIS
My fans already worship me.

He adjusts his hair in the mirror.

BORIS
Got anything else? You mean to tell me that your papa won't share any of his malevolent magic with me? No?

NATASHA
I, I don't know what he could--

He opens the door.

BORIS
I'm sure Balletmaster Petipa will find your little scheme very amusing. Dasvidanya.

NATASHA
I got it! Youth.

BORIS
What are you talking about?

NATASHA
Eternal youth.

BORIS
I'm already young.

NATASHA
But not forever.

He slowly shuts the door.

BORIS
Continue.

NATASHA
To always dance in your prime.

BORIS
It's tempting...

NATASHA
To be the world's greatest dancer for all time.

She turns him in front of the mirror.

NATASHA
Just think. Never getting old, but keeping your strong chest, those muscular arms, and your firm...
She turns him sideways to the mirror.

BORIS
tushski?

NATASHA
Yes, especially that. Why people will behold you as a...

BORIS
God!

NATASHA
Whatever.

BORIS
I'm making a deal with the devil. And what a pretty beelzebub it is.

Boris grabs her toward him.

BORIS
C'mere!

NATASHA
Hey!

DRESSING ROOM HALLWAY

Ivan exits the Nutcracker dressing room. He hears a COMMOTION from Clara's dressing room and runs to the door.

He notices the two thick metal loops outside the door, one attached to the door and one to the door jam. They can be used to lock the door from the outside, using a thick chain, etc.

He pulls on the inner loop attached to the door and surreptitiously opens the door just enough to look inside. Boris chases Natasha around a divan.

Ivan spies on them.

NATASHA
Boris, you have to get on stage!

BORIS
You little she-devil.
NATASHA
You'll ruin everything!

Boris lunges at her. They tussle on the divan. He TOSSES his head mask on the floor.

Ivan sneaks in,

SCOOPS up the MASK, but Boris CATCHES sight of him.

BORIS
You little squirt, come back here!

Ivan sees the sword, GRABS it and bolts, Boris in hot pursuit.

DRESSING ROOM HALLWAY

Ivan SLAMS shut the door, RAMS the sword through the metal loops.

BANGING on the door.

BORIS AND NATASHA (V.O.)
Somebody! Open the door! Let us out!



ON STAGE - DRAWING ROOM - BALLET-IN-PROGRESS

"DEPARTURE OF THE GUESTS" LAST FEW BARS

The "guests" leave.

DEPARTURE OUT; BEGIN "BEDTIME"

Lights dim.

Catherina (as Clara) sneaks into the living room, finds the toy nutcracker on its "bed," holds it like a baby, and falls asleep on the couch, Nutcracker in her arms.

Her "mother" finds her sleeping, but instead of waking her up, she places her shawl over Catherina.

AUDITORIUM
Behind the drowsy Tzar and riveted Tzarina, the Cossack Life Guards flirt with two coquettes in an adjoining box.

One of the women motions to rendeznous in the corridor.


BEGIN "THE MAGIC SPELL"

AUDITORIUM

The Tzar sleeps.

MEZZANINE CORRIDOR--NEAR THE TZAR'S BOX

Opulent--Crystal chandeliers, plush carpet, pastel colored walls.

Ivan, dressed in the Nutcracker uniform and the head mask in-hand, walks along the corridor. He's heading toward...

The Cossacks who drink heavily from a flask and FLIRT with the young women.

Ivan turns the corner, almost bumping into them. He's shocked. The Cossacks look to him. He quickly dons the mask; they never see his face.

COSSACK 1
Boris, right?

IVAN
(clearing his throat)
Uh, yes.

Cossack 1 proudly turns to the young ladies.

COSSACK 1
They all know me.

IVAN
I've come to pay my respects to the Tzar.

The Cossacks nod and let him past. They return to their flirtations and heavy drinking. Ivan stops at a black curtain under the heraldic black TWO-HEADED EAGLE.

ON STAGE - BALLET-IN-PROGRESS

Catherina "SLEEPS" on the couch.

Drosselmeyer LIFTS the Toy Nutcracker, REMOVES the sling, and REPAIRS it with a screwdriver.

He places a "SPELL" over Catherina, TUCKS the Toy Nutcracker under her arm, and exits.

MEZZANINE CORRIDOR--Just outside the Tzar's box.

Ivan SNEAKS in, crawling on all fours.

IMPERIAL BOX - DARK

The Tzar SNOOZES. Ivan stealthily unsheathes the Tzar's sword as the TZARINA views the ballet through opera glasses.

She watches Catherina on-stage.

TZARINA
What a darling ballerina that girl is.

IVAN
(low, muffled)
Yes, yes dear.

The Tzarina reaches for the Tzar's hand. Ivan gingerly moves the Tzar's hand into her's.

He finishes removing the sword, but the political flyer from Anton is nearly dislodged, it hangs from his pocket.

Ivan SLITHERS out.

MEZZANINE CORRIDOR

Ivan, the flyer hanging out of his pocket, must pass by the Cossacks (and the young ladies) to escape. They nod as he passes, but brushes against one of the ruffled dresses, dislodging the flyer.

COSSACK 1
Wait, you dropped this.

While he hands it to Ivan, he realizes its contents.

COSSACK 1
Not so fast!
(to Cossack 2)
Get the Tzar.

COSSACK 2
But he's sleeping.

COSSACK 1
(to Ivan)
So Boris, you are a refusenik, no?

Ivan kicks him in the shins and pushes over Cossack 2. He runs like hell. They chase after him.




DRESSING ROOM HALLWAY

CRIES for help.

Dancers overhear Natasha and Boris. They remove the sword from the door hardware.

Natasha and Boris SCRAMBLE out.

NATASHA
Where is he? Where is that brat?

BORIS
I'll destroy him!

CUT TO:

IVAN
in costume, DASHES to the wings.

CUT TO:

Natasha and Boris RACE to the wings.

IN THE WINGS

Natasha and Boris STOP SHORT, out of breath.

BORIS
You take stage right, I'll take left.

They ZOOM off separately.

Drosselmeyer STOPS Natasha.

DROSSELMEYER
Natasha, you're not supposed to be here yet, someone will see you. What are you doing?

NATASHA
Downstairs! I was locked in... in, in the dressing room with Boris--

DROSSELMEYER
--Boris, again!

NATASHA
No, no, listen to me. This kid stole Boris's head mask--

DROSSELMEYER
--You're losing your head, Natasha. Now calm down! You're supposed to keep your mind on the ballet, remember?

NATASHA
But, but Papa--

DROSSELMEYER
--After the Mouse King kills Catherina, you go on stage. Now behave!

Drosselmeyer dashes back on stage.


ON STAGE - BALLET-IN-PROGRESS

Catherina "AWAKES" with a START to see Drosselmeyer ON TOP of the clock, FLAPPING his cloak like wings. He turns the hands to MIDNIGHT and MOTIONS to
SCURRYING, adult-size "MICE." Catherina jumps off the couch. The "mice" exit.

Catherina "SHIVERS" in her nightgown. She cradles the Toy Nutcracker, then is "STARTLED" when the

CHRISTMAS TREE

"grows." She places the Toy Nutcracker in its

MINIATURE BED.

"THE MAGIC SPELL" OUT

BEGIN "THE BATTLE"

Catherina reviews the troops. "Soldiers" muster in b.g. The tree "GROWS" to 50 feet.

The Toy Nutcracker (on his miniature bed) WHISKS off stage.

IN THE WINGS

A STAGE HAND waves Ivan along.

STAGEHAND
(to Ivan)
C'mon, c'mon! You'll miss your cue.

Ivan, still wearing the Nutcracker costume, DIVES on to a full-size version of the MINIATURE BED.

Boris LUNGES at him, but misses. He falls on Drosselmeyer, knocking him over.
Then Ivan, lying on the bed, WHISKS...

ON STAGE - BALLET-IN-PROGRESS

... on-stage.

Ivan plays the NUTCRACKER.

He SPRINGS to attention. LEADS "Hussar" soldiers into battle against the giant "mice," and

SWORD FIGHTS the tipsy Mouse King.


IN THE WINGS

AMAZED REACTIONS from Drosselmeyer, Natasha and Boris.

BORIS
That little twerp. He's stealing my part.

NATASHA
That rotten kid. He's ruining my plans.

DROSSELMEYER
That horrible bully. He might hurt my mousikin.

ON STAGE - BALLET-IN-PROGRESS

Mouse King KNOCKS down Ivan and RAISES his sword, but Catherina THROWS a slipper. It HITS the King's back.

Mouse King SPINS around, CHARGES toward Catherina, and LIFTS his sword. She "FAINTS."

Ivan IMPALES (for real) Mouse King with the TZAR'S SWORD.

The Mouse King FALLS.
Ivan CUTS OFF his crown and DISPLAYS it triumphantly.
Surviving "mice" "COWER." They DRAG Mouse King off stage.

"THE BATTLE" OUT

IN THE WINGS

DROSSELMEYER
(to Boris and Natasha)
I must check on my mousikins.

Drosselmeyer exits.

BOILER ROOM

The wounded Mouse King STAGGERS in. He still wears the seven-headed costume.

MOUSE QUEEN
Was the dastardly deed done, dearie?

He throws his arms around her.

MOUSE QUEEN
My, aren't we the romantic rodent!

She sees blood on one of the "heads".

MOUSE QUEEN
Hold on a bit. You've got blood on one of your heads.

She wipes it off while holding him up.

He FALLS. She removes the mask--he's unconscious, but still breathing. His toes twitch.

She SCREAMS.

Drosselmeyer enters.

MOUSE QUEEN
(to Drosselmeyer)
The King is dead!

ON STAGE--BALLET-IN-PROGRESS
Ivan goes to "fainted" Catherina's bedside. He NOTICES the audience. TERRIFIED, he RUNS off stage.

IN THE WINGS

Ivan stops short. He's startled to see Natasha and Boris.

They LUNGE at him, but MISS. He BOLTS back on stage.

ON STAGE

PINE FOREST SET

BEGIN "JOURNEY THROUGH SNOW"

Ivan rejoins "fainted" Catherina.


IN THE WINGS

Balletmaster Petipa approaches the wing where Boris and Natasha stand.

BORIS
(to himself)
Oh boy! Here comes Petipa. I'm going to be shish kebob.

A sweaty dancer playing a TOY SOLDIER also watches the ballet. He removes his jacket and hat.

NATASHA
(to toy soldier)
Give me your costume, quick!

Toy soldier resists, but Natasha suggestively WINKS at him. He very slowly hands over the costume when...

Natasha impatiently yanks it away. He walks away shaking his head.

NATASHA
(to Boris)
Quick, put this on.
Natasha helps Boris don the outfit.

NATASHA
Just keep your head down.

He lowers his head.

She DARTS away.

Petipa stops next to Boris to watch the ballet, not realizing it's Boris.

Petipa puts his arm around Boris whose head is tucked down. Petipa watches the Nutcracker (Ivan) on-stage.

BALLETMASTER PETIPA
Ah, Boris Shlamealsky's performance of the Nutcracker is magnifique, non?

Boris gives a MUFFLED approval, nodding his head.

BALLETMASTER PETIPA
All those years of training and hard work as my protege have been worth it. And someday, you too, my boy, will shine in the limelight.

Petipa pats Boris on the back.

Nutcracker (Ivan) finishes his number when...

BALLETMASTER PETIPA
Look at that. Nothing this boy could do would surprise me.

... he FLINGS OFF the Nutcracker costume and sword, and reveals himself, now the handsome prince who returns in ACT II. (As in the original choreography).

IN THE WINGS

The flying costume knocks off Boris's hat.

BORIS
Glorioski!

ORCHESTRA PIT
The Tzar's sword flies past Ivan's dad. It slices his violin string (TWANG) and impales the wooden floor. Dad looks up at the stage. He's shocked to see Ivan.

IN THE WINGS

Petipa does a double take at Boris and Ivan.

BALLETMASTER PETIPA
(sputtering to Boris)
You, you, you, you... baboon!

He THROTTLES Boris.

BORIS
But, but, but--

BALLETMASTER PETIPA
--You have humiliated me! I gave you my trust, my art, my genius and here I see you not on stage, but--but-- kibitzing!

BORIS
I, I, I--

Petipa DRAGS Boris off by his EAR.

ORCHESTRA PIT

Natasha stealthily snatches the Tzar's sword.


EXT. MARYINSKY THEATRE - STAGE DOOR

Petipa THROWS Boris outside.

BALLETMASTER PETIPA
You are a disgrace to the profession. Be gone!

Petipa pushes him down an ice-encrusted stairway and into a SNOW BANK, face down.

BALLETMASTER PETIPA
Amateur!

Brief pause, then
NATASHA (O.S.)
Good night, sweet prince.

Boris rolls over, a coat LANDS on his face.

He removes the coat to see Natasha WAVING the Tzar's sword.

His snow-encrusted face makes him look older beyond his years.

NATASHA
Too-da-loo!

Cossack horsemen surround Boris.

COSSACK CAPTAIN
Seize him.
(to Boris)
Where's the Tzar's sword?

Natasha quickly hides the sword behind her and scrambles inside, leaving the door slightly AJAR.

A stray CAT wanders in.

INT. MARYINSKY THEATRE

ON STAGE - BALLET-IN-PROGRESS

Ivan KISSES "fainted" Catherina's hand. She "awakes," SHOCKED to see Ivan. He places the Mouse King's crown on her head.

IVAN
(stage whisper)
Shhh. I'll explain later.

"JOURNEY THROUGH SNOW" OUT

BOILER ROOM

Mouse Queen's LIVID at Drosselmeyer. She CORNERS him.

MOUSE QUEEN
You killed my sweetie!

DROSSELMEYER
No, it was that cursed boy!

She LIFTS the snow globe to KILL him with it.

DROSSELMEYER
Wait! You need my help.

MOUSE QUEEN
In a pig's eye!

DROSSELMEYER
Smash that and you'll destroy my magical powers.

MOUSE QUEEN
Yeah?

She LOWERS the snow globe.

MOUSE QUEEN
Well, ducky, I'm the mouse with the magic now.

He tries to grab it, she pulls it away.

DROSSELMEYER
Give that back, you rabid rodent.

ON STAGE - BALLET-IN-PROGRESS

KINGDOM OF SNOW

BEGIN "WALTZ OF THE SNOWFLAKES"

A winter wonderland of fir trees with snow garlands.

Ivan and Catherina walk hand-in-hand to stage rear, their backs to the audience.

Snowflake "FAIRIES" dance in white tutus and snowball coronets.

It gently "snows" paper snow.

Above-stage, two stagehands use ropes to rock the "snow cradle." Paper snow falls from the net-like cradle.

CATHERINA
(stage whispers)
What's going on? And where's Boris? He's supposed to play the Nutcracker, not you! And who are you anyway? Get your hands off me.

IVAN
Catherina, it's too complicated to explain. Just trust me.

CATHERINA
Trust you? First, you knock me over. Then you ruin the ballet.

IVAN
You called me your galant.

CATHERINA
Well, now I think you're a nut. I'm glad we're going off-stage.

She heads toward the wings. Ivan pulls her away.

IVAN
No! You can't leave.

CATHERINA
What is your problem?

IVAN
Look, they're trying to kill you.

CATHERINA
Who?

IVAN
Natasha, Drosselmeyer and the Mouse King.

CATHERINA
Are you out of your mind?

IVAN
We have to stay here. Listen to me! Your life is in danger! I'm trying to save you!


BOILER ROOM

Mouse Queen and Drosselmeyer continue their "TUG-OF-WAR" over snow globe. They VIOLENTLY SHAKE the "snow" inside.

DISSOLVE TO:

BACK ON STAGE - BALLET-IN-PROGRESS

REAL SNOW falls from above. Ballerinas shiver as they dance the truly wintery waltz.

ABOVE-STAGE CATWALKS

Stagehands casually rotate the "snow cradle" as if nothing unusual is happening.

BACK ON-STAGE - BALLET-IN-PROGRESS

CATHERINA
(stage whisper)
You lunatic!

Ballerinas swirl/interweave in a supernatural real-life blizzard--a Siberian BUSBY BERKELEY spectacle. Their teeth CHATTER.

Ivan and Catherina huddle in the cold.

CATHERINA
Here we are in the middle of the ballet, in my first big role, and I'm... I'm...

MUSIC QUICKENS

Dancers go FASTER, AND FASTER to the music. Ivan and Catherina SHIVER in b.g.

CATHERINA
...freezing!

MATCH CUT:

BOILER ROOM

The on-stage scene is distorted inside the SNOW GLOBE.
"SNOW" swirls inside the snow globe as the FIGHT ESCALATES between Mouse Queen and Drosselmeyer.

ABOVE-STAGE CATWALKS

Anton climbs to the "snow cradle." He looks down at the stage, concerned.

ANTON
(to stagehands)
What are you guys doing?

STAGEHAND
Nothing!

ANTON
The dancers are freezing their butts off.

STAGEHAND
Look.

Stagehand scoops up paper confetti. He hands it to Anton.

ANTON
I don't get it. The paper is turning to snow.


BACK ON-STAGE AND IN ORCHESTRA PIT

WET SNOWFLAKES blow into the pit and MELT the printed notes on Tchaikovsky's SHEET MUSIC.

Tchaikovsky picks up the tempo. Musicians play faster and faster.


BOILER ROOM

Drosselmeyer and Mouse Queen TUG-OF-WAR over the snow globe. The ceiling bows and leaks from the on-stage snow.

Natasha enters, sword in hand.

DROSSELMEYER
Natasha, help me with this meshugenuh mouse.

MOUSE QUEEN
Listen darlin', your dad's an old geezer. He's mucked up your dreams of dancin' in the ballet. He's over the hill. Stick with me, girlie, and I can make your dreams come true.

Natasha looks from one to the other.

NATASHA
Tough luck, pop!

She YANKS on Mouse Queen's tail, pulling the snow globe away from Drosselmeyer. He FALLS. Mouse Queens grabs the sword from Natasha and holds Drosselmeyer at sword point.

MOUSE QUEEN
Natasha...

Mouse Queen looks up to the stage-rear TRAPS. They leak and creak.

MOUSE QUEEN
We're expecting company.

BACK ON-STAGE - BALLET-IN-PROGRESS

Tchaikovsky brings the fast-paced music to a FINALE. He scribles notes with his left hand, conducts with the right.

"WALTZ OF THE SNOW FLAKES" OUT

AUDITORIUM

CURTAIN FALLS to THUNDEROUS APPLAUSE.

House lights illuminate the auditorium.

Tchaikovsky crosses out some old music and writes down some new notes.

TCHAIKOVSKY
That wasn't half bad.

SUPER: "INTERMISSION"
The Tzarina POKES the sleeping Tzar with her FAN. He awakes with a START, instinctively reaches for his sword. It's GONE.

He JUMPS UP and SUMMONS his Cossacks. After an animated discussion, the Tzar EXPLODES.

TZAR ALEXANDER III
Find my sword you fools!

The ASTONISHED audience becomes SILENT and LOOKS up at the box.

ORCHESTRA PIT

Ivan's Dad quickly exits, looking for Ivan.

ON-STAGE - INTERMISSION

Stagehands sweep/shovel snow into the fly gallery, stage right.

Ivan and Catherina shiver behind the closed house curtain.

CATHERINA
I'm wet. And I'm freezing.

IVAN
Catherina, I can explain--

Anton calls from the catwalk.

ANTON
--Catherina!

Ivan reaches for her arm. She pulls away.

CATHERINA
--No, don't touch me!

Anton witnesses the argument and climbs down a ladder mounted to the wall, stage right.

IVAN
Please believe me. Let's get out of here.
Stagehands sweep snow into piles.

INTERCUT IVAN'S DAD HEADING TO STAGE

BACK ON EMPTY STAGE

CATHERINA
I don't plan to go anywhere with you. Over two thousand people are expecting me back on stage, and I've got to change out of these dripping clothes, so if you'll excuse me--

They fall through a trap door.

IVAN AND CATHERINA
Whoa!

TRAP ROOM--MECHANICAL FLOOR

Ivan and Catherina fall to the floor then rise.

Mouse Queen, dressed in a black tutu and black veil, holds them at sword point with the Tzar's sword. They are pressed against the wall.

MOUSE QUEEN
Well, well, well, look what the cat dragged in.


ON-STAGE - INTERMISSION

Anton reaches the stage just after the trap door closes. He looks around but can't find them.

Ivan's Dad simultaneously enters the stage, just missing them.

IVAN'S DAD
Ivan, where are you?

ANTON
Catherina, where'd you go?

Stagehands "fly" Act II props in place, including 12 foot tall CANDY CANES along the wing curtains. Balletmaster Petipa frantically runs on-stage, slipping on the snow.

BALLETMASTER PETIPA
(to stagehands)
My stars! I've lost my stars. My Clara and Nutcracker have disappeared. Poof! Maybe they've vanished under this snow.

He's unsteady on the slippery snow.

FATHER
You! It's all your fault that my son was on this--

Father grabs on to Petipa for balance.

FATHER
--cockamamie stage.

Father slips on the snow.

BALLETMASTER PETIPA
Your son? Why he's a genius. He's got to go back on stage for the second act.

ANTON
(to Petipa)
And what about Catherina? She was freezing like an icicle. Little you care.

BALLETMASTER PETIPA
Now, now Anton. I understand your concern. Of course I'm worried about her, too.

Petipa puts his arms around Anton.

BALLETMASTER PETIPA
Because I need her--

Petipa shakes Anton.

BALLETMASTER PETIPA
--for the second act!

Anton takes father aside.

ANTON
(to Father)
Listen comrade. Your son shouldn't be wasting his talents on stage. He's got the guts for politics. Trust me brother.

FATHER
Politics! Ballet! Rubbish! He's a musician!

Father exits and slips on his ass.

We hear a harsh BANGING.

BOILER ROOM

Redecorated to resemble an Old Bailey court room. Mouse Queen wears a white powered wig, and crimson and ermine judicial robe.

Mouse Queen POUNDS the the sword as if it were a gavel.

MOUSE QUEEN
Silence!

A HUSH falls of the minions of small mice.

MOUSE QUEEN
Allow me to introduce myself, dearies. I am the Mouse Queen. Widow of Mouse King--

IVAN
(whispering to Catherina)
--You thought I was crazy!--

MOUSE QUEEN
--that sterling man of a mouse who you--

Mouse Queen POKES Ivan with the sword.

MOUSE QUEEN
--murdered!

IVAN
I had to! He was going to kill Catherina.

MOUSE QUEEN
Yes, we had it all planned it to a "T" Me, Drosselmeyer and Natasha here.

CATHERINA
Natasha... did you really want to--I mean, actually, want to kill--

NATASHA
--Yes! Yes I did. You stole my part! I deserved it. Why, my daddy said--

DROSSELMEYER (O.S.)
--Cuckoo.

A MINIATURE Drosselmeyer

POPS OUT of a CUCKOO CLOCK.

DROSSELMEYER
Cuckoo. Cuckoo. Cuckoo.

MOUSE QUEEN
Don't he look dainty, your daddy?

Natasha and Mouse Queen GIGGLE. Ivan and Catherina are HORRIFIED. They RUN, but Mouse Queen STOPS them.

MOUSE QUEEN
Uh, uh, uh... thought you'd scurry away, eh? Restrain the prisoners. Check the equipment.

A black-masked, black uniformed EXECUTIONER wheels in two giant mousetraps. The exeuctioner has furry feet like a large mouse; he seems to be bleeding.

He pulls back the metal and locks the spring mechanism, then throws the wooden Nutcracker costume on the trap. The metal SWISHES through the air, decapitating the costume.

The EXECUTIONER resets the trap, fastens Ivan and Catherina to their respective guillotines; their heads in harm's way, their feet on the spring (where cheese would ordinarily go).

Mouse Queen WHISTLES. A swarm of mice enter as she exits. They are seated, twelve of them in a Jurors' Box.

"Judge" Mouse Queen officiates from the elaborate "bench."

The Court CLERK, a squeaky-voiced mouse, officiates.

CLERK
Oy vey! Oy vey! Queen's Bench now in session.

MOUSE QUEEN
Ivan, you are charged with one count of murder in that on this night you, with malice aforethought, did kill the Mouse--

She SOBS, using her wig as a hanky and blows her nose into it.

MOUSE QUEEN
That you did kill the Mouse King. How do you plead?

IVAN
It was self defense.

MOUSE QUEEN
Such insolence! If I want your opinion, I'll ask for it.

She looks to Catherina.

MOUSE QUEEN
Catherina, you are charged with assault and pepper in that you threw your slipper and struck the Mouse King in the back.

CATHERINA
Not guilty.

MOUSE QUEEN
Rats! The execution will have to wait until after the trial. Is the prosecution ready?
NATASHA
Yes, your mouseyness. Ivan claims self defense, but at the time of his death, Mouse King was running in the opposite direction. He was stabbed in the back, like so.

Natasha pantomimes Mouse King's death.

IVAN
No!

MOUSE QUEEN
The prisoner is to be gagged.

Executioner gags Ivan.

MOUSE QUEEN
Does the prisoner have anything to say in his defense?

Muffled MOANS.

MOUSE QUEEN
I thought so. Now, on to the girl.

NATASHA
Your mouseyness, the slipper attack was unprovoked. At no point prior to the slipper being thrown did Mouse King threaten or attack Catherina.

Natasha pantomimes the "slipper attack."

NATASHA
It was Mouse King, and not Ivan, who acted in self-defense. Futhermore, the slipper in question is a toe-slipper, the kind with a steel toe, like so.

Natasha shatters a mirror with the ballet slipper. The jurors cower.

MOUSE QUEEN
Are you saying she used a deadly weapon?

NATASHA
Yes, your mouseyness.
The lights flash.

MOUSE QUEEN
Intermission is almost over. I will need to take this matter under advisement. Court adjourned.

CLERK
All rise.

The mice jury files out--

CLERK
--OK, everybody pile back in. Court is in session, all rise.

The mice jurors scurry back to their seats.

MOUSE QUEEN
After giving lengthy consideration to this matter which you

She gestures to Natasha.

MOUSE QUEEN
described so eloquently for our benefit--

The mice APPLAUD.

MOUSE QUEEN
I instruct the jury to find the defendants guilty as charged.

Song #4 "QUEEN'S COURT"

MOUSE QUEEN
(singing)
YO, LISTEN TO ME JURY
'COZ I'M IN A FURY
OVER THIS HERE CRIME
WHICH AIN'T NO NURSERY RHYME

WHAT HAPPENED IN THE BALLET
WASN'T NO HEARSAY
BUT PREMEDITATED, COLLABORATED
CAPITAL OFFENSE

The executioner, now disc jockey, "scratches" a cylindrical, Edison-type "record" on an ancient phonograph with a large conical loud speaker. SWISH, SWISH.
MOUSE QUEEN
(singing)
NOW I'LL ADMIT
THAT YOU GOTTA ACQUIT
IF THE ALIBI SOUNDS LIKE A LULLABY
'CEPT THE DUDE'S SELF DEFENSE
IS JUST CONNIVANCE
AND WAY TOO SANCTIMONIOUS
FOR BEING SO FELONIOUS

She's groov'n to the music.

MOUSE QUEEN
Dig-it!
(singing)
CHECK OUT HIS PLEAD
FOR HIS BAD-ASS DEED
DON'T FALL FOR SMOOTH JARGON
HE WANTS A PLEA BARGAIN
'COZ IF HIS STORY DID JIVE
MOUSE KING'D BE ALIVE

AND MY COOL JUDICIAL WRIT
WOULD STAMP IT ALL LEGIT
AND HIS SORRY BUTT WOULD BE BACK IN THE ORCHESTRA PIT!
(speaking)
Sentence to be carried out at midnight tonight.

AUDITORIUM

Lights flicker, patrons return to their seats.

BACK TO "COURT ROOM"

Mouse Queen SQUEAKS as she holds the saber high over Ivan, then thrusts it down to impale the wooden trap; the sword vibrates back and forth.

The Cat (from the stage door)SLIPS into the room.

IVAN
You're insane, both of you. Somebody will find out and you'll be punished!

MOUSE QUEEN
Well, until then I shall have my revenge. Enough of this fiddle-faddle.

NATASHA
From now on, I'll get the--ah-choo--plum parts. I'll be the prima--ah-choo--ballerina. Ah-choo, ah-choo.

MOUSE QUEEN
What's the matter with you, girlie? You allergic to mice? Ha, ha, ha.

NATASHA
No, cats!

The cat JUMPS on a table.

MOUSE QUEEN
Cats!!!

All the mice scurry.

INTERCUT THE ESCAPE

Ivan gingerly wiggles out of his restraints. The trap CREEKS, but doesn't deploy.

The terrified Mouse Queen RUNS to a tiny MOUSE HOLE.

Ivan uses his own leather shackles to fasten Catherina's trap in the open or "safe" position. The leather strains under pressure as Catherina is freed.

Mouse Queen PUSHES her face up against the mouse hole, her royal RUMP high in the air. The cat CLAWS at her tail.

MOUSE QUEEN
Blimey, it's too small!

Natasha SNEEZES and SNEEZES.

Ivan GRABS Catherina's hand. They RUN up a flight of stairs, but are TRAPPED by a locked door at the top. Ivan TUGS at the door. Catherina sees an

AIR VENT; it leads across the top of the "Court Room."

CATHERINA
Look! We can escape through here!

IVAN
But look. It goes over the Mouse Queen.

CATHERINA
We have no choice. It's the only way.

Catherina PULLS open the grate. Ivan CLIMBS up and helps her in.

AUDITORIUM

SCREEN BLACK

The house curtain rises for ACT II.

BEGIN "THE MAGIC CASTLE"

ON-STAGE - BALLET-IN-PROGRESS

The audience OOOHS and AHHHS at the EXTRAVAGANT and BRILLIANT Viennese-style confectionery architecture, 12-FOOT CANDY CANES, etc.

The SUGAR PLUM FAIRY directs her CHERUBS who glide in circles.

"MAGIC CASTLE" OUT

BEGIN "DANCE OF THE SUGAR PLUM FAIRY"

Sugar Plum dances to the famous "celesta" (tuned steel bars) music.

IN THE AIR VENT

Ivan and Catherina crawl over the "Court Room." Through a tiny grate, Ivan sees Natasha TUG at Mouse Queen's RUMP. Her nose POPS out of the mouse hole.

Ivan and Catherina are motionless. Mouse Queen and Natasha are directly below them.

MOUSE QUEEN
Where are they?

NATASHA
I don't know. I was busy tugging on you.
MOUSE QUEEN
Blasted cat!

NATASHA
I should have been more careful.

MOUSE QUEEN
What?

NATASHA
When I went out, I must have left the door opened and let the cat in--oops.

MOUSE QUEEN
Fool!

Mouse Queen picks up the snow globe.

MOUSE QUEEN
It's all your fault! You were behind everything. The King would still be alive if you--

Mouse Queen trembles with anger. She sees Natasha's image in the Snow Globe.

MOUSE QUEEN
If--

She shakes the snow globe. Natasha transforms into a miniature, but hideous Nutcracker puppet.

Catherina GASPS. Ivan holds his hand over her mouth. Natasha tries desperately to remove the mask, but it's now part of her. As she runs away screaming...

POOF, she is in the cuckoo clock next to the miniature Drosselmeyer.

NATASHA
Cuckoo! Cuckoo!

Mouse Queen peers into snow globe.

MOUSE QUEEN
(to herself)
Now for that boy and the girl.


INSIDE THE SNOW GLOBE

Mouse Queen sees the kids' images crouching in the air vent. Ivan's HAND reaches closer and closer.

BACK TO SCENE

Mouse Queen shakes the globe, the hand grows enormous inside the snow globe. The hand

GRABS the snow globe from Mouse Queen.

She spins around to see Ivan's hand pull the snow globe into the air vent. The grate is quickly replaced.

Mouse Queen bangs on the grate, then runs underneath the vent looking for an entrance.

She can't squeeze into the entrance used by Ivan and Catherina.



INSIDE THE AIRVENT

Ivan and Catherina quickly CRAWL to escape. They see Mouse Queen through tiny grates. She tracks their progress, sword-in-hand.

BACK ON-STAGE - BALLET-IN-PROGRESS

Sugar Plum finishes her dance.

"DANCE OF THE SUGAR PLUM FAIRY" OUT

BEGIN "CLARA AND THE PRINCE"

Sugar Plum ASSEMBLES her retinue. Each group does a warm-up DANCE.


IN THE AIR VENT

Mouse Queen's paw smashes through a grate. She claws at Catherina's foot, but can't maintain her grip. Catherina loses a ballet slipper to Mouse Queen.
Ivan spots a large metal grate just ahead.

It overlooks the top of a a giant CANDY CANE. Catherina hears the music in b.g.

CATHERINA
This is our entrance.

Ivan bangs out the grate.



IN THE WINGS

They

SLIDE

down

the candy cane, into a BOAT. It

LURCHES on stage...



BACK ON-STAGE - BALLET-IN-PROGRESS

ON CUE, they rejoin the ballet. The boat GLIDES to center stage.

Sugar Plum waves her wand over Ivan.

Ivan PANTOMIMES his "battle" with Mouse King per original score.

Mouse Queen PEERS out from a stage floor TRAP DOOR (stage rear).

MOUSE QUEEN
Little show off! The cheeky monkey.

Sugar Plum WAVES her wand. A

"THRONE"
glides stage-rear, directly above the TRAP DOOR. The "throne" is a miniature room.

Ivan and Catherina SIT on the throne. Sugar Plum DRAWS a VEIL. They are BARELY VISIBLE to the ballet audience.

The cast exits except "SPANISH" dancers.



BEGIN "HOT CHOCOLATE: SPANISH DANCE"

Ivan and Catherine watch the ballet, a SPARKLING Spanish bolero.

Mouse Queen (in Spanish dancer costume), OPENS the trap door and CLAWS up at the kids.

Ivan and Catherine's FEET move IN SYNC with the bolero--just beyond the GRASPING Mouse Queen.

"SPANISH DANCE" OUT

BEGIN "ARABIAN DANCE" (COFFEE)

ARABESQUE dancer does her slow, sinuous number in an "I DREAM OF GENIE" outfit.

She smokes from a "HOOKAH" pipe.

MECHANICAL FLOOR

Arabesque-dressed Mouse Queen awkwardly DANCES.

INTERCUT AS NEEDED

Mouse Queen INHALES from a large hookah pipe. She

BLOWS SMOKE toward the kids.
MOUSE QUEEN (O.S.)
Nightie night.

SMOKE WAFTS

into the "throne" room. The kids YAWN.

The smoke INTOXICATES Mouse Queen too. She TRIPS over her own ballet slippers.

Mouse Queen BLOWS more smoke. Catherina's head

FALLS

on Ivan's shoulder. She sleeps.

"COFFEE--ARABIAN DANCE" OUT

He DOZES but

BEGIN "TEA: CHINESE DANCE"

AWAKES

with a START to the glockenspiel music. He WAVES away the smoke IN SYNC with the staccato TUG-OF-WAR theme.

INTERCUT "Chinese" dancers.

Ivan PULLS open the veil slightly, deeply INHALES fresh air, then gives Catherina MOUTH-TO-MOUTH resuscitation.

"CHINESE DANCE" OUT

BEGIN "TREPAK: CANDY CANE"

Catherina AWAKES with a START to the spirited Russian Trepak. She

SLAPS

Ivan's face.

Trepak dancers LEAP through candy cane hula hoops.
A sword

RIPS

through the throne room's back curtain.

Mouse Queen JABS at the kids with the Tzar's SWORD.

IN THE WINGS

Cossacks notice the sword's GLINT.

ON STAGE

Ivan and Catherina

JUMP

side-to-side as the sword THRUSTS IN-SYNC with the music.

Cossacks gain on Mouse Queen. She bids a hasty retreat.

"CANDY CANE" OUT


BEGIN "MOTHER GINGER & THE CLOWNS"

Mother Ginger BUSTLES on-stage.
Her enormous dress COVERS little girl "Polichinelles."
"Mother" HIDES her face with a "Chinese fan."

The Polichinelles exit, dance, and return to inside the dress.

Catherina SNEAKS out of the throne room, DIVES under Mother's dress. Ivan follows, but is SMACKED BACK when a large

MOUSE-TAIL WHIPS OUT

from behind "Mother's" dress.

"Mother" is actually Mouse Queen. Ivan ducks through the curtain that Mouse Queen tore with the Tzar's sword, stage rear.

"Mother" BUSTLES off stage.

"MOTHER GINGER & THE CLOWNS" OUT

BEGIN "WALTZ OF THE FLOWERS"

IN THE WINGS, STAGE LEFT FLY GALLERY

"Mother" pulls a drawstring. The dress OPENS. Polichinelles run out.

BEGIN "WALTZ OF THE FLOWERS" in b.g.

Catherina exits, but Mouse Queen GRABS her,

and LIFTS

her off the ground.

Mouse Queen sheds her large dress, and CLIMBS stage ropes, Catherina tucked under her arm. In b.g., the Executioner lumbers up a wall-mounted ladder.

ON-STAGE: BALLET-IN-PROGRESS

The ballet audience watches the famous "Waltz of the Flowers," totally unaware of the unfolding drama in one of two "fly galleries."

NOTE: Located stage right and left of the proscenium opening, each gallery is 35 feet wide, 50 feet deep, and 85 feet high, all hidden from public view.

FLY GALLERY

Ivan CLIMBS another rope.

Mouse Queen WHIPS her tail in his face, SMACKING him like a right jab. He's stunned, nearly falls.

The rope SWAYS. Ivan dangles precariously, frozen with fear. He looks down at the big production number.

Ivan FANTASY: The dancers transform into the skaters Ivan saw while dangling from the Neva River Bridge. The rope rises as in the bridge scene.

IVAN
Dad?

Ivan doesn't realize that just above him the Queen has looped her tail around the rope. Her tail lifts the rope, swinging it (and Ivan) around.

END FANTASY: Ivan "comes to," seeing his predicament. He SHIMMIES up and GRABS onto the TIP of her tail. He tries climbing the RASPISH tail, but she FLINGS him skyward.

IVAN
Whoa!

He lands on a batten, GRABS another rope, CLIMBS up.

Mouse Queen maintains her lead, she's still above him. In b.g., the Executioner continues his climb.

Ivan lifts himself onto a side-wall-mounted fly gallery/catwalk. He looks over the ropes attached to the "pin rail" (hickory belaying pins). He selects a lower pin with "trimmed rope." An angry "fly man" approches.

FLYMAN 1
Stop!

Ivan holds onto the rope. The flyman lunges at him, but Ivan kicks the pin out of the rail, and flies upward on the rope as counterweight sandbag descends.

Now he's 40 feet above the floor, just 20 feet below the escaping Mouse Queen, Catherina still tucked in her arm. Mouse Queen swings toward stage rear.

ON-STAGE, The Waltz of the Flowers nears its finale.

Ivan swings on the ropes to the "Waltz of the Flowers" music.

Mouse Queen hoists herself onto the CATWALK/LIGHTING BRIDGE (70 feet above stage floor).

Ivan reaches a higher side-mounted-catwalk, about 30 feet away. Mouse Queen DANGLES Catherina over the edge.

Ivan GRABS a rope. He SWINGS "Tarzan-style" toward Catherina.
Just as Mouse Queen releases her grip on Catherina, Catherina grabs the snow globe. She

FREE FALLS as Rope-swinging Ivan SNATCHES her mid-air, and SWINGS on-stage into...


ON STAGE

BEGIN "FINALE"

... the waiting SLEIGH.

Sugar Plum bids them adieu. The sleigh

GLIDES UPWARD, stage right. Catherina holds the snow globe. The sleigh assends behind the grand valance and into the stage right fly gallery, beyond the ballet audience's view.

END "FINALE"

THUNDEROUS APPLAUSE.

IN THE SLEIGH (hidden from the ballet audience)

The sleigh STOPS just below a 60 foot high catwalk.

Ivan suddenly kisses Catherina. They are unaware of Mouse Queen who looms above them on a catwalk.

Catherina likes the kiss. Preoccupied, she holds the snow globe behind her.

Mouse Queen notices the snow globe.

MOUSE QUEEN
Now, I've got you!

The kids look up.
MOUSE QUEEN
There's no escaping me now.

She jumps down into the sleigh. Her weight creeks the floorboards, the support ropes slowly untwine.

Ivan places himself in front of Catherina. Mouse Queen closes in.

IVAN
(whispering to Catherina)
She wants the globe.

Catherina shakes her head, then bravely confronts Mouse Queen.

CATHERINA
(to Mouse Queen)
Let's see how brave you are now...

She holds the snow globe outside of the sleigh, 60 feet above the stage.

MOUSE QUEEN
No!

Mouse Queen lunges at the snow globe as Catherina lets it fall. Mouse Queen dives after it, falling out of the sleigh.

EXECUTIONER (O.S.)
No!

The Executioner appears on the catwalk. He removes his black leather hood to reveal a bloody Mouse King!

MOUSE KING
I show up like a bad penny, don't I?

SNOW GLOBE and Mouse Queen fall in SLOW MOTION.

Mouse King jumps into the sleigh, but doesn't quite make it. His massive paws grip the sleigh's edge as he lifts himself up. The support ropes untwine even faster.

CUT TO:
SNOW GLOBE and Mouse Queen continue their SLOW MOTION fall.

INSIDE THE SNOW GLOBE

FLASHBACK to the tiny pair of mice we first saw at rehearsal dancing on the railing of the Tzar's box.

CUT TO:

The snow globe SMASHES into the snowy fly gallery floor. The globe breaks, water leaks out.

MOUSE QUEEN shrinks back to mouse-size in mid-fall. The snow breaks her fall, she's disoriented but OK.

CUT TO:

MOUSE KING (in sleigh) shrinks to mouse size. He scurries along the edge of the sleigh. Ivan moves toward him. Afraid, tiny Mouse King jumps out.

He falls, landing on the snow, next to Mouse Queen. He'll live.

A support rope snaps, the sleigh lists starboard. Ivan and Catherina scramble toward the catwalk just as another rope breaks. As they hoist themselves up, yet another rope snaps. The sleigh dangles by one rope.

ON-STAGE

The corps de ballet takes its bows to thunderous applause. The audience throws flowers.

AUDITORIUM - ORCHESTRA PIT

Ivan's father frowns.

ABOVE THE VALANCE - ON A CATWALK

Ivan holds Catherina by her waist, grabs on to a rope and they slowly descend to stage center as counter weight sand bags rise in the fly gallery.

ON-STAGE

More CHEERS. Ivan searches his pockets and hands Catherine the same rose seen earlier.

AUDITORIUM - ORCHESTRA PIT

Ivan's father smiles (for the first time ever).

ON-STAGE

A petal falls to the footlights.

Behind the footlight boxes, tiny Mouse King hands Mouse Queen a rose petal.

Ivan and Catherina look down at the cute mice and smile. The mice take their bows.

Ivan gives her a kiss.

AUDITORIUM - ORCHESTRA PIT

Ivan's father gives Ivan a standing ovation, the rest of the orchestra remains seated.

ON-STAGE

Ivan smiles back at his dad.

The audience CHEERS even louder.

FADE OUT: