Opening night of this year's production of Atlanta Ballet's Nutcracker, Friday, December 11, was a momentous occasion. Not only did it mark the 20th anniversary of Artistic Director John McFall's version of this holiday favorite, the City of Atlanta Mayor's Office also bestowed on him the Phoenix Award! This is the highest honor awarded by the city, and it was given in recognition of Mr. McFall's lasting impact on the community and the arts over his 21-year career with Atlanta Ballet. Please join us in congratulating John McFall and thanking him for his service to Atlanta and the region!

John McFall at the Atlanta Ballet's Nutcracker opening night curtain call on Friday, December 11, 2015. He's surrounded by Company dancers Tara Lee, Peng-Yu Chen, Miguel Angel Montoya, Benjamin Stone, and Heath Gill and student dancer Joshua Nunamaker from the Centre for Dance Education. Photo by Charlie McCullers.

John McFall at the Atlanta Ballet's Nutcracker opening night curtain call on Friday, December 11, 2015. He's surrounded by Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education student Joshua Nunamaker and Company dancers Brandon Nguyen, Alessa Rogers, Jackie Nash, Rachel Van Buskirk, Alexandre Barros, and Christian Clark. Photo by Charlie McCullers.