Atlanta Ballet’s
Nutcracker returns to the Fox Theatre Dec. 11 – 28 with the Atlanta Ballet
Orchestra and the Georgia Youth Choir live for all 20 performances. Set in the elaborate Moorish décor of the
historic Fox Theatre, this unique production of the beloved Nutcracker tale takes 20
pounds of snow, eight tons of scenery, lighting, and props, and a 38-foot-tall
Christmas tree to make the magic of Marya’s unbelievable story come to life.
Now in its 55th production,
Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker continues to be a treasured holiday tradition
shared by multiple generations. Each year, Atlanta Ballet invites more than 200
Atlanta area school children to perform alongside 23 professional company
members and four company apprentices in this holiday spectacular.
Atlanta Ballet first
brought Nutcracker to the stage in 1959, performing George Balanchine’s version
of the timeless tale. In that year, Atlanta Ballet was the only company outside
of New York City Ballet allowed to perform this signature piece thanks to
Atlanta Ballet’s then Associate Artistic Director Robert Barnett, who had
danced with Balanchine at New York City Ballet. “We gave it as a gift,” says
Barnett, “inviting children from all counties to come in and see the
performance. It was a gift from Mr. Balanchine, and he never charged us a cent
for doing it.” From that day forward, Nutcracker has been an annual event in
Atlanta.
In 1995, Atlanta
Ballet’s third and current artistic director, John McFall, created a brand new
Nutcracker for the city of Atlanta. McFall’s vision was to create a Nutcracker
that was “traditional yet new, familiar yet different, classic yet contemporary
and above all, magical.” Every year since then McFall has added a special touch
to the production in an effort to keep it vibrant and fresh.
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