Locations, Locations!: Inside the World of A Very Terry Christmas
If you’ve been staying home and missing all the iconic spots in Atlanta like we have, A Very Terry Christmas is the perfect way to revisit your favorite locations in Atlanta without leaving the comfort of your own home! We were incredibly lucky to be able to film in all of these popular places and would love to thank everyone at each of these incredible spots who helped make this cabaret a success!
The Varsity
Founded in 1928, this distinctive restaurant is a must-visit for out-of-towners and a staple for Atlanteans. Known for its snappy ordering system (seriously, familiarize yourself with the lingo before you go in), crispy onion rings and chili hotdogs, and incredible fried pies, The Varsity is the largest drive-in fast food restaurant in the world.
Zoo Atlanta
Chances are you’ve probably already been to this Atlanta staple, but did you know that it originally started when a businessman bought circus animals at auction? In 1889, George V. Gress purchased the animals after the circus went bankrupt, then donated them to the city of Atlanta. They were initially housed at Grant Park, where the zoo remains. After almost facing closure in 1984, the zoo went through a massive renovation that included better conditions for animals, a series of baby gorillas born in the zoo to the iconic gorilla named Willie B, and dazzling new habitats that skyrocketed the zoo’s reputation.
Fernbank
The Fernbank Museum of Natural History began with just one woman’s dream to care for a large plot of land that she called Fernbank. She later purchased it and orchestrated plans to use it for educational purposes, making it the wonderful resource it is today!
1st Congregational Church
First built in 1908, this historical landmark is the second-oldest African American Congregational Church in the United States.
National Center for Civil and Human Rights
This center was founded in the early 2000s by civil rights activists – such as Evelyn Lowery, Juanita Abernathy, Andrew Young, and the late House Representative John Lewis – to honor Atlanta’s civil rights history. Fun fact: George C. Wolfe is their chief creative officer and he curated the civil rights gallery, which is why it has theatrical elements.
College Football Hall of Fame
Nothing says Southern culture like college football, so this location was a must!
Dentist Office
The polar opposite of the dentist we all love to hate from A Little Shop of Horrors, Jerry Richman is a loyal subscriber and self-described fan of the Alliance, not to mention Terry’s favorite dentist. In his own words, his “office is created more like a living room,” with “open windows to see nature” and a new air conditioning feature especially designed to kill COVID called “bipolar ionization.” (Coincidentally, the Woodruff Arts Center has already put in the same feature to prepare for patrons’ return!) Dr. Richman has served the Atlanta community for over thirty years and we’re lucky to feature him and his office in this cabaret!
Center for Puppetry Arts
If you like Sesame Street, the Jim Henson company, or anything relating to the mechanics of puppetry, this is the place for you! From displays to staged shows, the Center for Puppetry Arts is perfect for kids of all ages.
Skyview Ferris Wheel
More than just another Ferris wheel, this spot is just about as iconic to Atlanta as Seattle’s Space Needle or NYC’s Empire State Building. Get away from the hustle and bustle to see the city from the comfort of your very own gondola.
Georgia Aquarium
The largest aquarium in the United States and the only aquarium in the southern hemisphere to house whale sharks and manta rays, this quintessential Atlanta icon is a must-visit for tourists. They are also home to the largest indoor aquatic environment in the world – more than ten million gallons of water! Their animal cams are the perfect way to check in on the animals while you stay at home, but if you visit be sure to check out their new “SHARKS! Predators of the Deep” exhibit.
Atlanta Botanical Garden
An Atlanta staple, this garden is known for its over-the-top exhibitions and its incredible holiday lights tradition, which was voted the best holiday event in metro Atlanta by readers of the AJC - for the fourth year in a row! Their Fuqua Orchid Center’s Tropical High Elevation House features orchids and other plants that grow in the tropics between 4,000 and 10,000 feet above sea level. The collection includes carnivorous Nepenthes and Heliamphora pitcher plants as you'd find them in the wild. The conservation of carnivorous plants is an integral part of the work conducted at the Garden, currently housing about 40 carnivorous plant species and nearly 300 imperiled plant species in its ex situ conservation collection. Innovative and environmentally friendly, the Garden is an oasis for greenery and visitors alike.
Coca-Cola Stage
Our personal favorite location for this cabaret (okay, we’re biased) is our very own stage, sponsored by Coca-Cola. With renovations complete in 2019, this new space – with audiences fifteen feet closer to the stage than before – feels more intimate than a 650-seat house really should. The hit musical Ever After, starring Broadway’s Sierra Boggess, was the first show featured on it; the show opened in early 2019 and has since gained popularity due to a viral Tiktok video of a song from the show. We were proud to have Terry back onstage as the first performer since March!
