The brilliance of Debbie Allen revealed in ‘Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker’

The Shondaland documentary premieres Nov. 27 on Netflix.

Nov 13, 2020

Netflix just revealed the first official trailer for their upcoming documentary, Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker and it’s pretty incredible.

The Shondaland film shines a light on the work of trailblazing icon Debbie Allen and her reimagining of the classic ballet performed annually by the gifted students of the Debbie Allen Dance Academy (DADA).

Over the last 50 years, Allen’s incredible career has spanned the spectrum of the arts. The dancer, actor, choreographer and director, who starred as dance teacher Lydia Grant in the iconic 80’s TV series Fame has earned three Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe, and multiple Tony nominations in the process.

Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker features intimate interviews with Allen, her family, DADA’s world-class dance instructors, and her inspirational students, providing fascinating insights into Allen’s own personal journey pursuing an art form where she did not always see herself reflected.

Debbie Allen with dancer, Kylie Jfferson in ‘Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker.’ c. Courtesy of Netflix © 2020

The film also offers front row access to the grueling rehearsals, the passion and leadership of Allen and DADA’s dance instructors, and the huge commitment and undertaking by the dancers of all ages and backgrounds who come to train at the academy each year regardless of their socioeconomic circumstances or traditional expectations of the dance community.

Rehearsed for just over three months, The Hot Chocolate Nutcracker has become a staple holiday performance in Los Angeles and the largest fundraising event on the school’s calendar.

Jalyn Flowers in Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker. c. Oliver Bokelberg

Directed by Oliver Bokelberg and executive produced by Shonda Rhimes, Betsy Beers, Andrew Fried, Jordan Wynn, and Dane Lillegard, this is a film the whole family can enjoy together.

Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker premieres Nov. 27 on Netflix.

Check out the trailer: