Photo essay: Atlanta Ballet’s ‘The Nutcracker’

Nutcracker ballets abound in Atlanta this time of year, but the grandest of them all is Yuri Possokhov’s lavish, high-tech production the Atlanta Ballet has performed annually since 2018. From the fun opening scrim to the huge video projections of stars and the Northern lights, from tipsy partygoers to fearsome mice, this ballet gives audiences something new to enjoy every year.

Here is a look at this year’s presentation, which continues at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre through December 26. (Photos by Shoccara Marcus)

Airi Igarashi and Ángel Ramírez as Marie and the Nutcracker Prince in Act II.

The nutcracker doll, which the magician Drosselmeier gives to the central character, Marie, in the first act, waits here in the wings for its “entrance.”

Act I features a holiday party where the maid hands out lots of holiday beverages. Guilherme Maciel, front right, portrays Drosselmeier.

The central character, Marie, is portrayed in Possokhov’s Nutcracker as a bookworm, complete with eyeglasses. This year’s production features several different casts. Here, Isabella Kessler, front, as young Marie, dances in the Act I holiday party.

The older, dreaming Marie (Igarashi) looks on as the mice surround her larger-than-life chair.

Sandra Woodall’s costume designs for the men and women in Act I are inspired by the Regency era.

The ballet features a large cast, but still the occasional quick costume change is needed. Costumes hang backstage.

Every good story has its bad guys. In The Nutcracker, based on an E.T. Hoffman fairy tale, it’s the mice.

Drosselmeier (Maciel) contemplates the Mouse King’s disembodied head.

Act I ends with the shimmering, gossamer snow scene.

Madison Penney is lifted high in Act II’s Russian dance.

Larissa Capitanio Dal’Santo, in her French Hen costume, waits for her cue. This Act II variation includes the tiniest of the production’s performers as chicks emerging from the French Hen’s large eggs.

Madison Penney in the Chinese variation.

The constellations swirl, courtesy of Finn Ross’ stunning video designs. Centre for Dance Education and Academy 6 student Kahlen Wright is shown here as young Marie, lifted by Severin Brotschul as Drosselmeier.

Seen from the wings: Snowflakes, mice, the ebullient Marie (Igarashi) and the Nutcracker prince (Ramírez).