'Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker': Release date, plot, cast, trailer and all you need to know about Netflix documentary
With the end of the year comes the holiday season and while Christmas may yet be a few months away and that things may be a lot different this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, certain traditions are bound to continue -- like Hallmark's holiday movies and winter ballet recitals. Among them, 'The Nutcracker' has been a staple Christmas program since 1892 when it first debuted as a two-act ballet, adapted from E. T. A. Hoffmann's story 'The Nutcracker and the Mouse King'.
In fact, 'The Nutcracker' is so popular that it has been adapted numerous times across the movies and television in 'Barbie', 'Tom & Jerry', and Disney adaptations to name a few. In the world of ballet itself, it is Debbie Allen's adaptation called 'Hot Chocolate Nutcracker', which has been making waves since it debuted over a decade ago. Now, a Netflix documentary is set to show what goes into making 'Hot Chocolate Nutcracker' by the Debbie Allen Dance Academy.
Release date
'Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker' will be available to stream on Netflix on Friday, November 27, at 12 am PST.
Plot
The story of Debbie Allen's 'Hot Chocolate Nutcracker' is as follows: "Following the idea of the original, it’s Christmas Eve and the Johnsons 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 when the Nutcracker comes alive! Three wise cracking mice: Harvey, Schmink, and Buckey take over the story. They are the three stooges incarnate from N.Y.C. who call themselves 'The Real Rat Pack'. They go to many new lands of wonder: Candy Cane Land, Egypt, the Indian Rainforest/Bollywood, Jazzland, Russia, and the Land of the Kimono Dolls. With dazzling choreography, music, and costumes, this is a holiday theater experience that all ages will enjoy!"
The Netflix documentary spotlights the career of award-winning entertainer Debbie Allen and follows her group of young dancers as they prepare for Allen’s annual 'Hot Chocolate Nutcracker production.
Cast
Debbie Allen
Debbie Allen is an actress, dancer, choreographer, singer-songwriter, director, producer, and a former member of the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities. She is best known for her work in 'Grey's Anatomy', 'In the House', and 'A Different World.
Last year's production of 'Hot Chocolate Nutcracker featured a diverse cast including Raven Symone ('Raven’s Home'), Carlo Imperato ('FAME') and Debbie Allen herself, as well as guest appearances by Jenifer Lewis ('Black-ish'), Nigel Lythgoe ('So You Think You Can Dance') and more. It is unclear whether the documentary will feature the same cast.
Producers
'Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker' is produced by Shondaland and it's one of the first in the eight-part series from Shonda Rhimes' production company.
Trailer
There is no trailer for 'Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker' yet but watch this space for future updates.
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