Mark Morris' The Hard Nut is Easy to Digest

As almost every year since its premiere in 1996, Mark Morris Dance Group's delightful "The Hard Nut"-- the "Nutcracker" with a Twist--returns to Cal Performances this Friday to brazenly charm and grotesquely enchant us. Perhaps, that's how the continuity of genius works--from hyper-romantic dark mystic Hoffmann, to tragically misunderstood dreamer Tchaikovsky, to classically unearthly perfectionist Petipa, to lovable fearless jester Morris--the Nutcracker story winds its way through cultures and generations.
As simple as a childhood dream, and as convoluted as a childhood nightmare, the fascinating fairy tale reincarnates once again as outrageous Americana, peppered with mind-blowing references, subtle jokes and bold antics.
With all the psychotic characters, crazy situations, and masterful performances they are being delivered by, one particular scene of haunting beauty stays forever in this grateful viewer's memory: that snow scene with gracious snowflakes, dancing with such abandon and complete disregard to gender roles, all dressed in two-piece skimpy outfits, all en pointe, all tossing their own handfuls of snow up in the air to the most brilliant composer's score of crystalline ice...
The Hard Nut runs through Dec. 23 at Zellerbach Hall on UC Berkeley campus. Order tickets by calling 642-9988 or by visiting www.calperformances.net