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ArtsATL Reviews Nutcracker & 11Alive Goes Behind the Scenes

The press is in and the consensus is that Atlanta Ballet's new version of The Nutcracker defies imagination and is a must-see production!

You can still see the show now through December 24, 2018 at the Fox Theatre.

Airi Igarashi and Sergio Masero-Olarte. Photo by Gene Schiavone.

"At one moment Saturday evening, Airi Igarashi and Sergio Masero-Olarte, as Marie and the Prince respectively, danced the Grand Pas de Deux. Masero-Olarte swept her above his shoulders, and as he revolved, she seemed to etch spirals across the upper space. She descended, and then as Tchaikovsky’s music quickly gathered volume and haste, each turned away and ran a few steps but stopped short. In silence, save a rippling harp, each looked up in wonder, as if realizing they’d fallen in love.

The moment seemed to encapsulate author E.T.A Hoffman’s belief that in order for people (especially children) to live fully, they must eschew the constraints of rational thought and ignite the imagination. Then, through a strange and labyrinthine journey of the mind, they discover the world anew."

- Cynthia Bond Perry; "Review: Atlanta Ballet’s new 'Nutcracker' captivates with layered effects, simple story;"  ArtsATL

Airi Igarashi and Nikolas Gaifullin. Photo by Gene Schiavone.

"For more than two decades, The Nutcracker remained in its classic form. But this year the production has grown – in some cases by 20 feet or more!

'What's cool is to hear the same music, and tell the same plot story in this whole new way, is just phenomenal,' [General Manager Thomas] Fowlkes said.

Textured lighting projections help bring the set to life

'And the projections are what take it from being 3-D to what you call 5-D,' 11Alive’s Natisha Lance asked.

'Yes, it is just incredible,' Fowlkes replied during an exclusive behind-the-scenes look.

- Natisha Lance, "The Nutcracker from Atlanta Ballet gets new-age makeover in its 24th year," 11Alive