Debbie Allen Says Dolly Parton Was "A Dream Come True" to Work With
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Who better to bring us some much needed 2020 holiday cheer than Debbie Allen? The Emmy-winning producer, director, choreographer, and actress has two films streaming on Netflix this November—and both carry the effervescent energy and light that have quite literally earned the 70-year-old fame. And as Allen tells OprahMag.com: "We need it, child."
With its premiere on November 22, Allen directed and choreographed the campy Dolly Parton's Christmas On the Square, which starred Parton herself as rag-wearing homeless woman, who—spoiler alert—actually turns out to be an angel. The country singer wrote 14 new Christmas songs for the musical, which takes place in a fictional town called Fullerville.
In-between dance breaks than include the Tango and voguing (yes, Allen gifted us voguing for Christmas), the town Scrooge, Regina Fuller (Christine Baranski), attempts to evict every single citizen to make way for a new shopping mall. But don't worry—this is a holiday film, so there's a happy ending.
Allen was quick to sign up and take charge behind the camera. "Sam Haskell— who was my agent for two decades—called and asked me if I would jump in the fire and direct and choreograph this movie for Netflix, and I could not resist," Allen says. "I was so excited, and I had to get out of a lot of other really meaningful work that I had to let go, but this was a musical. I've been doing Grey's Anatomy for a long time, but I haven't been doing much film."
And of course, there was the minor perk of working with a couple of fellow icons. Allen noted that Parton would often be present on set when she wasn't even on the call sheet, entertaining the kids in-between takes. Allen says Parton's "sweet" personality caused Jennifer Lewis—who also brings her signature vocals to the movie—to nickname the songstress "Sugar".
"Dolly Parton is a dream come true, that's what she is," she says. "She's just precious, and loving, and giving, and very collaborative. And always ready to make changes. She's brilliant, she can write anything. She's one of those rare birds that really has that encyclopedic speak in the world of music."
But what really made Allen perk up? The mention of her "muse," daughter Vivian Nixon, who dances in the movie and acted as her assistant behind the scenes. Adding to the family affair, Nixon's baby (Allen's granddaughter) made her film debut in Christmas on the Square.
Nixon also appeared in Allen's second film, Shondaland's Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker, a documentary which put cameras in the Debbie Allen Dance Academy (DADA) studio. Premiering on November 17, the film follows the rehearsals and preparation leading up to the opening of Allen's famed annual Hot Chocolate Nutcracker production, a lively and diverse reimagining of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker ballet. Ranging from ages four to 17, Allen's students from various socioeconomic backgrounds go through hours of rehearsals to perfect the show as a dedicated team of choreographers, costume designers, and mentors work to inspire and carry on Allen's legacy.
"It's really about those kids and how I'm training another generation," she says. "It's just very empowering for anybody to watch, whatever they're dreaming about. Even if it's not dance. You see what we all go through and all the challenges we have, but we make a joyful noise. It's what we do.
DADA was forced to shutdown earlier this year due to the pandemic, and 2020's Hot Chocolate Nutcracker had to be cancelled. But Allen is making it work, as she's been hosting virtual dance classes since the spring. She's also found a silver lining, explaining that the studio has "gained connections all over the world" and now has students tuning-in everywhere from Brazil to Germany.
Unfortunately, COVID-19 also halted the construction of a brand new building for DADA—which is also a non-profit organization. But Allen says you can head to debbieallendanceacademy.com to donate and help her school and its students. And despite setbacks, the star is still looking ahead and planning to open a middle school next fall for 16 sixth graders. "I'm looking for kids that are really talented in the arts, and if they're not proficient is academics I will raise them," she says.
"This is the time when you have to seed, and you have to keep going. You must keep going, and the arts are essential in everyone's life."
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