The Hard Nut

A campy alternative Nutcracker by Mark Morris that has become a classic, itself.

Posted on December 19, 2024 by Joel Benjamin in Dance

Brandon Randolph as the Housekeeper, Billy Smith as Drosselmeier, Karlie Budge as Louise, Mica Bernas as Marie and Christina Sahaida as Fritz in a scene from Mark Morris Dance Group’s production of “The Hard Nut” at the BAM Howard Gilman Opera House (Photo credit: Julieta Cervantes)

Created in 1991, Mark Morris’ The Hard Nut was a decidedly different take on this Christmas holiday classic. Taking his vision from the highly stylized work of cartoonist Charles Burns, Morris has given his Mark Morris Dance Group a superbly ornate, extremely campy and, as usual for Morris, a very musical version.

It was then a refreshing alternative to the productions—like George Balanchine’s for the New York City Ballet—which adhere to the Russian classical template.

The surprising thing is that The Hard Nut pretty much follows the original format of the more classical versions. Like most versions, it is based on The Nutcracker and the Mouse King by E.T.A. Hoffman, and follows the same basic plot: a domestic Christmas celebration leads to a trip to a land of fantasy where snowflakes and flowers dance, ethnic performers show off and love prevails.

Domingo Estrada, Jr. as the Nutcracker and ensemble as GI Joe Soldiers and Rats in a scene from Mark Morris Dance Group’s production of “The Hard Nut” at the BAM Howard Gilman Opera House (Photo credit: Julieta Cervantes)

The original Tchaikovsky score performed in an undimmed lustrous chamber version is intact, the MMDG Music Ensemble, Brooklyn Music School and Brooklyn Technical High School’s The Hard Nut Singers conducted with loving care and dramatic subtlety by Colin Fowler.

The main difference is the delightfully over-the-top, campy production that takes the audience into the fertile mind of Mark Morris and his artistic colleagues. The mostly black and white scenic design by Adrianne Lobel features circular prosceniums within circular prosceniums, exaggerated furniture and, wittily, a gigantic world map with lights indicating where the different ethnic dances—Chinese, Spanish, Russian—are from, as if Martin Pakledinaz’s hilarious costumes didn’t already tell the story.

Siblings Marie (Mica Bernas), Fritz (Christina Sahaida) and Louise (Karlie Budge) watch TV, impatient to join their parents, Dr. and Mrs. Stahlbaum (Joe Bowie and Elisa Clark) in the living room for their gala holiday celebration.

Joe Bowie as the King, Brandon Randolph as the Nurse, Elisa Clark as the Queen, Billy Smith as Drosselmeier and Deepa Liegel as the Rat Queen in a scene from Mark Morris Dance Group’s production of “The Hard Nut” at the BAM Howard Gilman Opera House (Photo credit: Julieta Cervantes)

Attending to the needs of the Stahlbaums is the giddy Housekeeper (Brandon Randolph, in drag and on pointe, who nearly steals the show). Among the drolly louche guests is the elegant family friend Drosselmeier (Billy Smith) who brings gifts for the kids, including two automatons and a nutcracker for Marie which Fritz immediately breaks.

As in the original, Marie can’t sleep and wanders back to the now empty party room where rats (very funny robots) creep about led by a Queen Rat (Deepa Liegel). She is saved by an army of G.I. Joes, freeing her to go back to sleep, a sleep dominated by Drosselmeier telling her the story of the Hard Nut.

The Nutcracker has turned into a handsome youth, Young Drosselmeier (Domingo Estrada, Jr.) while a glittery snow storm of dancers tossing fake snowflakes over the stage is by turns cheery and ominous.

Billy Smith as Drosselmeier and ensemble in a scene from Mark Morris Dance Group’s production of “The Hard Nut” at the BAM Howard Gilman Opera House (Photo credit: Julieta Cervantes)

The Hard Nut tale-within-the-tale is dark, enacted by Act One cast members doubling up in new roles. The plot is full of Brothers Grimm darkness alleviated by Marie’s romance with Young Drosselmeier, a charmingly choreographed relationship.

The hilarious ethnic dances followed: Spanish, Chinese, Russian and French, all superbly costumed, bewigged and lit (extraordinary lighting design by James F. Ingalls) and then to the romantic duet for Marie and Young Drosselmeier to the well known Tchaikovsky music.

It all builds to a full company celebration that eventually fades back into a reprise of the opening domestic scene. This time, the TV program that the kids watch is the roll of the credits for The Hard Nut, a much-deserved tongue in cheek, self-congratulatory gesture by Morris.

Elisa Clark as Mrs. Stahlbaum and Flower ensemble in a scene from Mark Morris Dance Group’s production of “The Hard Nut” at the BAM Howard Gilman Opera House (Photo credit: Julieta Cervantes)

His troupe and guest artists were, as usual, first rate, buoyed by the live music and all the technical excellence.

The years have turned what was a fringe production of this holiday classic into a classic, itself, one whose popularity has only grown through the decades from TV exposure and, now, a chance to see it live at BAM.

The Hard Nut (through December 22, 2024)

Mark Morris Dance Group/Next Wave 2024

Brooklyn Academy of Music

BAM Howard Gilman Opera House, 30 Lafayette Avenue, in Brooklyn

For tickets, call 718-636-4100 or visit http://www.BAM.org/TheHardNut

Running time: two hours including one intermission

About Joel Benjamin (578 Articles)

JOEL BENJAMIN was a child performer on Broadway and danced with leading modern dance and ballet companies. Joel has been attending theater, ballet and opera performances ever since childhood, becoming quite opinionated over the years. He was the founder and artistic director of the American Chamber Ballet and subsequently was massage therapist to the stars before becoming a reviewer and memoirist. He is a member of the Outer Critics Circle.