Among time-honored holiday traditions The Nutcracker is beloved by music lovers of all ages. The 133-year-old two-act ballet by Russian composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky comes to life this season in a reimagined version of the classic at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre Dec. 8 through 26. One of the few regional performances to include a live orchestra, the Atlanta Ballet production includes the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra, which will perform the traditional Tchaikovsky score, “bringing the beautiful and intricate dance work to life,” according to the dance company.
Under the artistic direction of Gennadi Nedvigin, Atlanta Ballet will present what it calls “one of the most anticipated performances in its repertoire.” Award-winning choreographer Yuri Possokhov reinvented the classical ballet in 2018 exclusively for Atlanta Ballet with intricately designed costumes, larger-than-life ornate painted sets, advanced lighting, and state-of-the-art video projections, according to Atlanta Ballet.
Founded in 1929, Atlanta Ballet has a national reputation and is the official state Ballet of Georgia. “Atlanta Ballet’s eclectic repertoire spans ballet history, highlighted by beloved classics and inventive originals. After 94 seasons, Atlanta Ballet continues its commitment to share and educate audiences on the empowering joy of dance,” according to the Atlanta Ballet website, which notes that “in 1996, Atlanta Ballet opened the Centre for Dance Education, which is dedicated to nurturing young dancers while providing an outlet for adults to express their creativity.”
The Nutcracker story is set on Christmas Eve beneath a Christmas tree, where a child imagines dancing toys and other fantasies. The Atlanta Ballet production, which a Washington Post critic said “tops them all as the most entertaining as well as the smartest,” includes many child performers, including three from DeKalb County.
Olivia Ramsey, who attends Oak Grove Elementary School in the…
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