Mark Morris at B.A.M.

Andrea Mohin/The New York Times

The Hard Nut at Brooklyn Academy of Music

Mark Morris'version of the Nutcracker, The Hard Nut, opened at Brooklyn Academy of Music today so I raced there to see it. It's very calming in the middle of the silly season to see a suburban holiday party go so awry, with the sinister neighbour unleashing his handsome, youthful, alter ego on the innocent little girl before they cavort through a psychic wonderland of obsession and betrayal. Mark Morris himself appeared as the suburban Dad managing the drinks trolley while his garish guests raced each other off and drank to oblivion. The entire production was entirely gender non-confirming, with women lifting, men en pointe and androgenous snow fairies; the suburban maid was a superbly-muscled drag queen. It was amazing to see little children in the audience, but it will probably do them a lot of good in the long run.