Arts Agenda - Andersen revival

If you grew up in Atlanta in the 1970s, you just might remember Christmas With Hans Christian Andersen, which was performed annually for a dozen years by the Southern Ballet of Atlanta. The death of founder Pittman Corey in the early 1980s disbanded the company and ended the tradition — until now.
Coby Richardson, artistic director of the Dance Troupe at Vista Grove Dance Centre, is making a new tradition from an old one by bringing back the production for the first time in 15 years.
The Dance Troupe’s production features both the original and updated choreography by Joffrey Ballet alumnus Carl Corry, who will also dance the title role. It is a homecoming of sorts for Corry; his father, Pittman Corry, not only created the ballet but danced the title role himself during the 1970s.
Presented in two acts, the work promises to be a study in musical contrasts. The first act is set to the Danny Kaye soundtrack from the 1952 movie Hans Christian Andersen, and features characters from “Thumbelina,” “The Ugly Duckling” and “The Emperor’s New Clothes.” The second act is scored with music by Ravel and Stravinsky and features stories such as “The Little Mermaid,” “The Red Shoes” and “The Little Match Girl.”
“I grew up in the School of Southern Ballet and was the original ‘Little Match Girl’ in the first production in 1971,” says director Coby Richardson. “I also helped choreograph the original production, so I feel I’ve come full circle.”
Christmas With Hans Christian Andersen will be performed by the Dance Troupe Dec. 14-15 at 7:30 p.m. at Berkmar High School, 405 Pleasant Hill Road. Tickets $10. 404-633-2144.