Atlanta Ballet Celebrates 50 years of Nutcracker 12/11-27 At The Fox Theatre

Twenty pounds of snow. Eight tons of scenery. An eight-foot tall evil Rat King. And one three-story Petrov Christmas tree. It isn't Christmas in the city until Atlanta Ballet brings its most beloved gift - Atlanta Ballet's Nutcracker on stage at the Fabulous Fox Theatre from December 11 - 27.

As Atlanta Ballet celebrates 50 years of holiday enchantment, audiences are invited to embrace the spirit of the season with this annual holiday classic, cherished by Atlanta families for three generations.

Created by Artistic Director John McFall, the 150 lavish nineteenth-century Russian costumes and sets designed by renowned designer Peter Horne blend with the Moorish décor of Atlanta's historic Fox Theatre. Atlanta Ballet's Nutcracker is the endearing story of one girl's Christmas Eve in which fantasy becomes reality as the Christmas Tree grows to dizzying heights, the evil Rat King explodes from a fiery furnace, the infantry arrives and the Nutcracker sweeps her off to a land where Dream Fairies dance in snow-filled forests and the world is filled with all things wonderful.

In celebration of Nutcracker's 50th anniversary, Atlanta Ballet will recognize all past dancers in the production's 50-year history during the opening night performance December 11. The Atlanta Ballet Orchestra will also perform Tchaikovsky's timeless score opening weekend only, December 11 through 13. Performances December 16 through 27 will be performed to the same high quality recording in use since 2006.

Tickets, as low as $20, are on sale now. To purchase tickets, call the Ticketmaster Arts Hotline at 800-982-2787, visit the Fox Theatre Box Office or go online at www.atlantaballet.com. Groups of ten or more call Atlanta Ballet Group Sales at 404-873-5811 x207.

Atlanta Ballet's Nutcracker is sponsored by Belk, Inc.
Atlanta Ballet's 50th Anniversary Special Events

50th Anniversary Opening Night - Friday, December 11 at 7:30 p.m.

Opening Night will be Atlanta Ballet's 50th Anniversary celebration of Nutcracker. Join us this night as we call all Nutcracker alumni dancers to return! Nutcracker's original Cavalier and Sugar Plum Fairy, Robert Barnett and Anne Burton Avery, along with many of the original cast from those first years will be our special guests as we toast our 50th Anniversary. Click here to purchase our special $50 50th Anniversary Opening Night tickets. Use passcode FLOWER.

The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead invites you to the land of Nutcracker in celebration of Atlanta Ballet's Nutcracker 50th Anniversary
The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead is decorating their entire hotel this holiday season in celebration of Atlanta Ballet's Nutcracker 50th Anniversary. Room packages, brunch and dinner packages, and Nutcracker teas have been created to celebrate Atlanta Ballet's Nutcracker at the Fabulous Fox Theatre. Make this holiday full of special memories. Click here to learn more about brunch and dinner ticket packages. Visit the Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead website to explore Nutcracker room packages and the Ritz-Carlton Nutcracker Teas where Atlanta Ballet's Nutcracker Kids entertain each year.

Belk presents Atlanta Ballet's Nutcracker Tea at The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead - Saturday, December 19

Atlanta Ballet's Nutcracker Tea at The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead will be held Saturday, December 19th at 2:30pm. Nutcracker characters will meet and greet, author/illustrator Susan Jeffers will introduce her Nutcracker storybook, and Belk will present a runway fashion show - all to entertain grandmothers, mothers and daughters.

Atlanta Ballet's Nutcracker welcomes all Girl Scout of Greater Atlanta families on Friday, December 18 evening and Tuesday, December 22 matinee performances!
Atlanta Ballet invites all Girl Scout families to join us at one of two designated Girl Scout performances. Stay after either performance for an exclusive 20-minute after-show presentation to meet some of your favorite Nutcracker characters and learn how the curtain is brought up each year on this wonderful holiday classic. Visit the www.girlscoutsofgreateratlanta.org 'Things to Do' page for more details. By purchasing tickets through the Girl Scout/Nutcracker Project link, Girl Scout families will also be supporting the Girl Scout Gold Scholarship Fund.