Dallas Production of 'A BUR-LESS-Q NUTCRACKER' Wins 2014 Nutty Award

MBS Productions' saucy spin on the holiday classic, The Beulaville Baptist Book Club Presents ... A Bur-Less-Q Nutcracker, beat out more than 70 other Nutcracker-themed productions to win the 8th AnnuAl Goldstar National Nutcracker Award. As winner of the audience-favorite competition, MBS Productions takes home "The Nutty" statuette, a cash prize for its education programs, and bragging rights as the best-loved Nutcracker in the U.S. They join the ranks of past winners that include Debbie Allen Dance Academy, the Joffrey Ballet, Boston Ballet, the Kirov Ballet and The House Theater of Chicago.

"For our small company to be nominated amongst some world class dance companies has been thrilling," says artistic director/producer Mark-Brian Sonna, who wrote, choreographed and starred in A Bur-Less-Q Nutcracker. "Who would have thought eight years ago when (over several margaritas) we came up with the concept of the show that it would entertain thousands of people, become the most performed Nutcracker every year in Texas, and become a cult hit that has now earned a national award? Words cannot adequately express my excitement to receive such a momentous honor."

Bawdy, campy and completely original, A Bur-Less-Q Nutcracker finds the ladies of the Beulaville Baptist Book Club hosting a fundraiser production of Tchaikovsky's famous ballet. But when the entire cast of ballet dancers falls ill from a bad batch of piña colada casserole, it's up to burlesque stars The Velvet Kittens to save the day. The Dallas Voice called the show, "ridiculously fun," and Goldstar members raved about not only the humor but the high-quality dancing.

The Goldstar National Nutcracker Award, the only nationwide award for live Nutcracker-themed performances, showcases the astounding quality and variety of Nutcracker productions each year - from classic ballet to hip-hop, burlesque and more. Created by live entertainment ticket seller Goldstar (www.goldstar.com), an event discovery service that helps people go out more often, the competition uses Goldstar purchasers' post-show ratings to rank Nutcracker productions nationwide in order of audience favorite.

"There were so many Nutcracker productions people loved in cities all across the country, but in the end, a spiced-up version of the holiday classic, A Bur-Less-Q Nutcracker was their number-one favorite," says Goldstar CEO Jim McCarthy. "We'd like to congratulate the entire cast and crew for their remarkable work."

Goldstar makes live entertainment a part of everyday life for more than five million people nationwide. Whether on the site or in the app, it's fast and easy to discover local live events -- from theater and sports to concerts, comedy and more -- with tickets typically at half price or better.

Mark-Brian Sonna (MBS) Productions (mbsproductions.net) is the only theatrical Production Company in North Texas that exclusively produces works previously unseen for the stage. This includes new plays, musicals, translations and adaptations of the classics. They were founded in 2004 and have been garnering critical praise and selling out shows ever since.

For more on the Goldstar National Nutcracker Award, visit www.goldstar.com/nutcrackers.

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