ORLANDO, Fla., November 24, 2008 – As a part of Dr. P. Phillips Orlando Performing Arts Center’s commitment to the local community and the City of Orlando’s Blueprint program, its project team and community partners sponsored 57 students, chaperones and parents from Parramore Kidz Zone, to a performance of the Chocolate Nutcracker at Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre.
For some, the performance on Sunday was their first experience at the Bob Carr theater. The outing was made even more special when the students were given the chance to meet film and screen actor, Mel Jackson after the show.
“This is a dream come true for some kids and a wonderful opportunity to bring the arts to the community and raise the level of consciousness about the arts for our children,” said Beverly Page, executive producer of The Chocolate Nutcracker.
In addition to the performing arts center staff, volunteers from HKS Architects, Inc. and Anderson & Associates, P.A. joined them on the trip.
The Chocolate Nutcracker is an exciting holiday family production which tells the story of a little girl who, through her enchanting dream, travels with the Nutcracker from Harlem in the 50's, through the exotic lands of West Africa, Egypt, Brazil, the Caribbean, the land of “Gospel,” “Toyland,” “Jazz” land, the Rain Forrest and Star Flight Ballet. It features children and youth across Central Florida with professional choreographers from across the country who have trained with the Boston Ballet, Miami Contemporary Ballet, Kentucky Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Alvin Ailey and on Broadway.
The Dr. P. Phillips Orlando Performing Arts Center is an independent non-profit 501(c)3 corporation dedicated to developing, building and operating the new performing arts center in downtown Orlando. The performing arts center plans to develop a mixed-use urban arts center with three main halls, educational facilities, a public theater plaza, and retail and commercial expansion. When it opens in 2012, it will be Central Florida’s destination of choice for arts, cultural and entertainment programming. It will serve our diverse community by educating and nurturing artists, arts organizations, audiences and students throughout the region and the state of Florida. The performing arts center is committed to the City of Orlando’s Code for minority/women business enterprise contract and employment participation.
