PANDA-LERT: Mei Lan and Lun Lun join Atlanta Ballet
November 19, 2007 at 3:17 pm by Andisheh Nouraee in NewsZoo Atlanta giant pandas Mei Lan and Lun Lun will appear in the 2007 production of Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker.
From Atlanta Ballet Artistic Director John McFall:
“… It has always been a goal of mine to reflect the history, diversity, and energy of our city, the South and its culture. As the father of two little girls, the excitement around Zoo Atlanta’s Pandas amazes me and it just seemed logical to incorporate such icons of our city into, what has become for our patrons, a cherished family tradition.”
Rumor has it that the inclusion of giant pandas is one of several changes the Atlanta Ballet will put in place this year to make the Christmas classic more local and timely.
A source close to the production informed me today the Prince has been replaced by a bloodied pit bull and the Sugar Plum Fairy will be played by Sara Blakely in footless tights.
Send to a friend:
November 19th, 2007 at 4:49 pm
A non-native mammal who is barely a year old consumes 40 pounds of only one thing daily and costs a ton of money to maintain is the perfect cultural icon for Atlanta.
Maybe I just don’t care about Mei Lan any more since she stopped being so adorably panda cubby and just turned into a regular panda.
November 20th, 2007 at 12:43 pm
Atlanta: bright lights, pandas in tights.
November 20th, 2007 at 2:31 pm
my mistake: CITY lights, Southern pandas.