Los Angeles, CA -- (SBWire) -- 11/05/2010 -- With support from colleagues and friends, Debbie Allen is determined to make a difference in the lives of young people through Arts Education. "I am truly humbled by my friends, Mariah Carey who is allowing us to use a song in the production from her new album entitled "This Christmas II You", Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, Denzel and Pauletta Washington who are sponsoring student shows which will bring thousands of young people to see our production and Raven Symone, Jaleel White and Carlo Imperato who are donating their time and talent to help me create magic onstage as the "New Rat Pack", says Ms. Debbie Allen.

Emmy and Tony award winning puppeteer Michael Curry also donated designs to the production. The Hot Chocolate Nutcracker is Debbie Allen's hilarious and culturally rich take on the perennial Christmas Classic.

For more information on The Hot Chocolate Nutcracker, visit http://www.thehotchocolatenutcracker.com

About the Debbie Allen Dance Academy
The Debbie Allen Dance Academy, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, is committed to expanding the reach of Dance and Theater arts to enrich, inspire and transform the lives of thousands of young people in the Greater Los Angeles Area, across America and around the world. The character, education and creativity ignited through arts education are invaluable to individual achievement and our success as a nation.

Website: http://www.janicemccaffertypr.com