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"The IMAX Nutcracker"
springs to life in 3-D on the giant screen this holiday season
Experience this holiday classic at the
Tennessee Aquarium IMAX® 3D Theater

CHATTANOOGA (Oct. 21, 2002)-No holiday season would be complete without the story of "The Nutcracker," the classic tale of a young girl who stumbles into an enchanted kingdom ruled by a wooden prince. Now, the Tennessee Aquarium IMAX® 3D Theater brings back this classic to Chattanooga, just in time for the holidays.

"The IMAX Nutcracker" will show Nov. 23 through Jan. 5 at 12 p.m. and 4 p.m., and 7 p.m. showings on Fridays and Saturdays. This IMAX film presents E.T.A. Hoffman's classic fairy tale in a way it's never been seen before - as a contemporary, non-ballet adaptation of one of the world's most famous fairy tales. Filmed using award-winning 3-D technology, the story is transformed into a colorful extravaganza of sight and sound.

This film moves Imax from its traditional documentary arena to narrative dramas set against music. With a cast of 150 performers, sumptuous costumes and complex sets, "The IMAX Nutcracker" is one of the most elaborate productions ever. IMAX technology places the audience in the movie with detailed sets and elaborate costumes the audience will feel they can touch.

Set in London, the story opens with the annual family visit to Uncle Drosselmeier's fascinating home.

Clara finds the yearly visit a treat, because Drosselmeier's home is a treasure house, filled with toys from the past: dolls, jack-in-the-boxes, music boxes, toy soldiers, Chinese tumblers and marionettes. In one corner is an exquisite castle made from spun sugar and housed in a glass case.

"It's to protect it from mice," explains Drosselmeier. "You can't be too careful about mice."

Drosselmeier presents the family with Christmas gifts, and Clara receives a wooden nutcracker in the shape of a Hussar. On the way home Clara's brother, Frederick, snatches the Nutcracker and throws him onto a frozen pond. As she runs to rescue her beloved toy, Clara begins to tumble uncontrollably in a flurry of snow.

When the snow clears, Clara finds herself in a warmly lit room with the Nutcracker. Suddenly, the floorboards crack and the Mouse King appears to lead his mice in a battle against the Nutcracker and his troops. Clara comes to the rescue by throwing her shawl over the Mouse King. Blinded and caught in the shawl, he twists and turns until there is nothing left of him but a heap of shredded wool on the floor.

The defeat of the Mouse King breaks the spell and the Nutcracker is revealed in his true form - a handsome prince. The prince escorts Clara to his Sugar Palace where they are welcomed by acrobats, animals playing instruments and the palace cook, SugarPlum.