Debbie Allen's HOT CHOCOLATE NUTCRACKER Heads Back To Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center

Emmy Award winner Debbie Allen and the Debbie Allen Dance Academy in association with The Annenberg Foundation presents its award-winning family spectacular 'Hot Chocolate Nutcracker' starring Raven Symone (Disney's Raven's Home) at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center December 5 (7:30pm), December 6 (7:30pm), December 7 (1pm and 6pm) and December 8 (2pm).

This is the tenth anniversary of the 'Hot Chocolate Nutcracker' written, directed and choreographed by Allen. In this adaptation, three laugh-out-loud wise-cracking rats take over the story, whisking us off on an adventure Toyland, Candy Cane Land, The Rainforest, Bollywood, Egypt, The South Pole and on a magical train ride choreographed by Tony Award winner Savion Glover. Filled with lively characters, new music and spectacular dancing, Debbie Allen's 'Hot Chocolate Nutcracker' is a three-time Nutty Award winning production that is not to be missed and promises something for the whole family!

"A decade of joy and celebration of family is the theme of our 10th Anniversary production" said Director/Choreographer and Grey's Anatomy Executive Producer Debbie Allen. "We're excited that we have created a new legacy, a new family tradition with

A special star-studded 'Hot Chocolate Nutcracker' gala performance will be held on Saturday, December 7 at 6pm featuring guest appearances by Jenifer Lewis (Blackish), Nigel Lythgoe (So You Think You Can Dance), Shemar Moore (S.W.A.T.), Savion Glover (Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk), Taylour Paige (Hit the Floor), Phylicia Rashad (David Meets Man) followed by a V.I.P. party hosted by Jesse Williams (Grey's Anatomy). Gala tickets start at $350. To purchase tickets please call (310) 202-1711.

Starring Raven Symone, Carlo Imperato, Debbie Allen, and Mathew Johnson the show includes additional choreography by Terry Beeman, Giana Jigarhan, Karen McDonald, Elza Prado, Chantel Heath, Deepa Patel, Kevin Harris and Trey Knight. Tickets on sale at www.thehotchocolatenutcracker.com.

"Debbie Allen is a magician," said Academy Award winner Denzel Washington of the 'Hot Chocolate Nutcracker.' "What she does with those young people on stage is pure magic."

Keeping in the spirit of giving, 100 percent of the show's proceeds will benefit arts education for youth in the greater Los Angeles area. The annually sold-out school performances will take place at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center at 10am on December 4-6.

It's Christmas Eve and The Johnson's are having a grand party. The Christmas gifts are shared and young Kara receives a Nutcracker filled with hot chocolate - her favorite. She falls asleep and the journey begins with the Nutcracker comes alive! Kara takes the audience on a mystical, magical journey, from Candy Cane Land, Egypt, the Indian Rainforest, Bollywood, Birdland and the Land of the Kimono Dolls. Four wisecracking rats narrate the story: Myrtle (Raven Symone), Harvey (Carlo Imperato), Schmink (Brandon O'Neal) and Buckey (Debbie Allen). With an original score by Arturo Sandoval, Chau-giang Thi Nguyen, James Ingram, Shiamak Davar, Tena Clark and Thump, the 'Hot Chocolate Nutcracker' is sure to be a hit with audiences of all ages.

The Debbie Allen Dance Academy, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization is committed to expanding the reach of Dance and Theater Arts to enrich, inspire, and transform the lives of thousands of young people in the Greater Los Angeles area, across America and around the world. The character education and creativity ignited through arts education are invaluable to individual achievement and our success as a nation.

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