Theater Reviews

Nov 24, 2006 - "The Buttcracker," the Bruka Theatre's naughty adult XXX version of "The Nutcracker"

By By Jack Neal

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the naughtiest one of all?

There've been bad performances of "The Nutcracker," but outside of out-and-out porno versions the Bruka Theatre Company's "The Buttcracker" may win the prize for being the naughtiest one of all. Tchaikovsky would not be pleased! The Bruka Theatre's box office manager may very well be pleased, indeed.

It's a hope, without holding out much hope, that someone will do something about the name Bruka has given its new show. "The Buttcracker" certainly lets people know what they're in for, but in a world that's become much too vulgar is another nail in the coffin of civility what is really needed?

Well, maybe!

With doctoring, Bruka Theatre could have a very good thing going for it for a long-running Christmas season tradition.

The story of Clara, the charming girl who falls in love with her handsome nutcracker prince has become familiar in the extreme. Clara is young, sweet and innocent. Her nutcracker prince is young, chivalrous and protective. They are a gorgeous once-upon-a-time couple.

This production provides Clara and the prince with a major makeover. Clara is much less fresh and on the make. The Prince is much less protective and much more willing to be seduced, or – better yet – be in the seduction business himself. Mary Bennett is wonderful as an over-the-hill Clara willing to make the most of her matronly attributes. Andy Luna, the prince, is sexy, good looking, slightly beyond the fresh bloom of youth, and superbly lascivious.

They're quite a team.

All of the elements of the real "The Nutcracker" are in full parody and work well – up to a point. Obviously not a ballet company, but a company of actors who at best can approximate dance, "The Buttcracker" cast manages to tell the twisted new story of Clara and the prince with oodles of suggestiveness and wild good humor.

Until Act II.

Since the cast is no Ballet Trockadero de Monte Carlo (the drag troupe of dancers who really can dance) "The Buttcracker" can carry the kind of high-school-assembly-stuff-no-principal-in-their-right-mind-would-allow only so far before it begins to fall on not-so-funny times.

The vignettes, which make up virtually all of the second half of "The Nutcracker," are left intact to flesh out the evening, but not enough invention is at work to make Tchaikovsky's miniatures of music work long enough as parody. Seen through the crystal ball of what might be, given a second chance next season with a major overhaul of Act II, the company could actually have something that works on a continuing basis for the Christmas season.

In the meantime, a loud bravo for so much that's great fun, along with an equally huge wish for repairing what needs to be repaired for an even more hilarious second season next year with "The Buttcracker."

Mothers and fathers beware! From my perspective "The Buttcacker" is not for youngsters under the age of 16. (Make that 35, just to be safe.)

"The Buttcracker" can be seen November 17, 18, 24, 25, December 1, 2, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23 (2006) at 8 p.m. and December 17 (2006) at 2 p.m. The Bruka Theatre is at 99 North Virginia Street, Reno, Nevada. For information and tickets call 775-323-3221 or go online at bruka.org.