In The Hard Nut, Mark Morris's 1991 retelling of the classic tale of The Nutcracker, the choreographer "creates a marvelously musical, choreographically ingenious response to Tchaikovsky’s great score that has its own magic and speaks its own truths about the nature of love," raves the New York Times. "What makes The Hard Nut so lovable, and indispensable is a sweetness and spaciousness very like its traditional Tchaikovsky score."
In The Hard Nut, Mark Morris's 1991 retelling of the classic tale of The Nutcracker by E.T.A. Hoffmann, the choreographer "creates a marvelously musical, choreographically ingenious response to Tchaikovsky’s great score that has its own magic and speaks its own truths about the nature of love," raves the New York Times. "What makes The Hard Nut so lovable, and indispensable is a sweetness and spaciousness very like its traditional Tchaikovsky score."
The Mark Morris Dance Group first performed The Hard Nut in Brussels in January 1991 and returned to Brussels in December of that year for encore performances of the piece, which were filmed live for PBS' Great Performances: Dance in America series. The film features accompaniment from the Symphony Orchestra and Chorus of the Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie with Musical Director, Sylvain Cambreling. The DVD, released on Nonesuch in 2007, includes deleted scenes and a new, exclusive look behind the scenes with Mark Morris.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Produced by Judy Kinberg
Directed by Matthew Diamond
Edited by Girish Bhargava
Lighting by Alan Adelman
Executive Producer: Jac Venza
Producer for NVC Arts: Robin Scott
A Production of Thirteen WNET with NYC ARTS
In Association with RTP, Portugal and YLE, Finland
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From the Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie, Brussels
December 1991
Choreography by Mark Morris
Music by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Based on Nutcracker and Mouse King by E.T.A. Hoffmann
Production Based on the Work of Charles Burns
Set Design by Adrianne Lobel
Costume Design by Martin Pakledinaz
Stage Lighting Design by James F. Ingalls
CAST
Mark Morris Dance Group
Clarice Marshall, Marie
Marianne Moore, Fritz
Tina Fehlandt, Louise/Princess Pirlipat
Barry Alterman, Dr. Stahlbaum / King
Peter Wing Healey, Mrs. Stahlbaum / Queen
Kraig Patterson, Housekeeper/Nurse
Rob Besserer, Drosselmeier
Jean Guillaume Weis, Nutcracker / Young Drosselmeier
Company: Francky Arras, Katharina Bader, Alyce Bochette, Joe Bowie, Derrick Brown, Derek Clifford, Ruth Davidson, Penny Hutchinson, Dan Joyce, Nathaniel Lee, Sam Louwyck, Olivia Maridjan-Koop, Mark Morris, Rachel Murray, Mark Nimkoff, Deniz Oktay, June Omura, Mireille Radwan Dana, Gene Reddick Guillermo Resto, Keith Sabado, Amy Schwartz, Jordana Toback,William Wagner, Holly Williams, Megan Williams
Symphony Orchestra and Chorus of the Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie
Sylvain Cambreling, Musical Director
