Mark Morris's HARD NUT to Return to BAM for 25th Anniversary

Mark Morris Dance Group will return to BAM for the 25th anniversary of The Hard Nut, Dec 10-18, 2016.

This fresh and elaborately layered production is hailed by The New York Times as the "funniest Nutcracker and among the most touching" with choreography that "lifts the whole audience".

An exhilarating New York City tradition, BAM and Mark Morris Dance Group present the holiday classic The Hard Nut- Mark Morris's fresh yet faithful homage to The Nutcracker. The piece's brilliant blend of ballet, modern, and folk dance propels the dramatic narrative that creates a memorable feast for the imagination. Morris sets the action in the swinging 70s against vibrant pop-art inspired backdrops conceived by cartoonist Charles Burns and Adrianne Lobel, complete with go-go boots, G.I. Joe soldiers, a dancing Barbie doll, and inspired gender-bending casting.The Hard Nut takes its title from the story-within-a-story of Hoffman's The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, wherein an evil Rat Queen promises to restore the Princess Pirlipat's beauty if a young man can crack the "hard nut" with his teeth. This mix of playfulness and exquisite dance, combined with the greatest respect for E.T.A. Hoffman's original story and Tchaikovsky's complete, original score, earned The Hard Nut the winning spot in Ovation TV's "Battle of the Nutcrackers" contest three years in a row.

The production's anniversary also marks a milestone for Kraig Patterson who returns as the Housekeeper, a beloved en pointe role he originated 25 years ago. Former company members and Hard Nut veterans John Heginbotham (Mrs. Stahlbaum/Queen), June Omura (Fritz), and Shawn Gannon also return to rejoin the effervescent MMDG in this anticipated engagement. This year company member Lauren Grant celebrates her 20th Hard Nut, and Mark Morris will reprise his roles as the distinguished Dr. Stahlbaum and The King.

IF YOU GO:

BAM and Mark Morris Dance Group present

The Hard Nut

Based on the book by E.T.A. Hoffman, The Nutcracker and the Mouse King

Mark Morris Dance Group

Featuring the MMDG Music Ensemble and The Hard Nut Singers

Music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, The Nutcracker, Op. 71

Conducted by Colin Fowler

Choreography by Mark Morris

Set design by Adrianne Lobel

Costume design by Martin Pakledinaz

Lighting design by James F. Ingalls

Production based on the work of Charles Burns

At BAM Howard Gilman Opera House (30 Lafayette Ave)

Dec 10 at 2 & 7:30pm; Dec 11 at 3pm; Dec 14-16 at 7:30pm; Dec 17 at 2 & 7:30pm; Dec 18 at 3pm

Tickets start at $25

Master Classes

Dance with MMDG: All Ages
Co-presented by BAM and Mark Morris Dance Group
Sep 17, Oct 22, and Dec 3 at 3pm, Mark Morris Dance Center (3 Lafayette Ave)
For all ages
Free

Dance with MMDG: Adults Only
Co-presented by BAM and Mark Morris Dance Group
Nov 19 at 3pm, Mark Morris Dance Center (3 Lafayette Ave)
For all experience levels
Free

Visit BAM.org/master-classes for more information and to register.

Photo by Julieta Cervantes