Actress, dancer and choreographer Debbie Allen’s fun, fresh spin on the classic holiday ballet returns to the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center for the eighth year in a row. The Hot Chocolate Nutcracker (a two-time Goldstar National Nutcracker Award winner) gives the seasonal favorite a rich new cultural context and updated characters, and features a lively contemporary score with original songs from multiple-Grammy-winner Mariah Carey and others. After young Kara receives a nutcracker filled with hot chocolate, she falls asleep and journeys to enchanted lands, including Candy Cane Lane, Egypt, the Rainforest, Jazzland, Russia and the Land of the Kimono Dolls. Great for all ages, little ones will have no trouble following along thanks to the narration by three wisecracking mice. This acclaimed production stars writer-director Debbie Allen, Tisha Campbell-Martin, Carlo Imperato, Tichina Arnold and more, plus performers from the Debbie Allen Dance Academy.