Nutty Nutcracker Returns To The Fox Theatre 12/16

What do Starbucks Baristas, Sookie Stackhouse, Lady Gaga, Harry Potter, and Twilight Tweens all have in common? They are all waiting in the wings for a chance to appear in Atlanta Ballet's Nutty Nutcracker, of course!

For one night only, Thursday, December 16 at 7:30 p.m., the popular show returns to the Fabulous Fox Theatre for an evening of bawdy humor and ridiculous send-up of current events all rolled into a very loose adaptation of everyone's favorite holiday ballet. Rated PG-13 and "un-choreographed" by Atlanta Ballet dancers themselves, the show will dedicate its ticket proceeds to the Dancers' Resource Fund, which aids dancers in retirement or career transition.

"Nutty is a huge undertaking, but well worth it," said Rachael Van Buskirk, company member and co-coordinator of this year's Nutty production. Between the hours of rehearsals and performances for the five-week Nutcracker run, the dancers make time to orchestrate nearly every aspect of the show, from wardrobe, props and scenery to "script writing" and music selection.
"After 20-plus Nutcracker performances, we look forward to the escape that Nutty provides," said Buskirk. "The more we perform Nutcracker, the more outrageous Nutty becomes. It's like feeding a monster!"

Nutty was originally created in 2001 as a way to build the coffers of the Dancers' Resource Fund, which was created that same year. The Fund was started by then-company members Julianne Kepley and Alessandra Lang and continues to be managed by a committee of dancers. In the past, dancers have used their portion of the funds to assist in paying college tuition or to help in entrepreneurial endeavors. The Fund is also used to provide small, short-term interest free, emergency loans.

"The Dancers' Resource Fund is a great cause, and very important to the lives of your Atlanta Ballet dancers," said Brian Wallenberg, who is in his 13th season with the company and is a founding member of the committee that created the Fund. Wallenberg has also been a beneficiary of the Fund, using his portion to start Saturnblu Productions, a video Production Company that he founded in 2007.

"A dancer's career is very short, and most have been dancing their whole lives, making huge sacrifices to be performing artists. The Fund just makes the transition into a new world a little easier."

Tickets for Nutty Nutcracker start at a Nutty $20 and are on sale now through Ticketmaster Arts Line at (800) 982-2787 or the Fox Theatre Box Office. Order tickets on-line at www.atlantaballet.com or www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets for parties of ten or more can be ordered by calling 404-873-5811 X 207.

Patrons are also invited to join the cast for the official Nutty after-party at the Livingston Restaurant + Bar in the Georgian Terrace Hotel, directly across from the Fox Theatre.