The Hard Nut currently running at Cal Performances has become a holiday tradition. Mark Morris created the show back in 1991 in Brussels and still performs in it, although he's mostly retired from dancing.
He founded the Mark Morris Dance Group in 1980, for which he creates dance programs, conducts, and commissions new music. He collaborates with the likes of Yo-Yo Ma, Mikhail Baryshnikov, and even Isaac Mizrahi. He received more awards for his work than a little league team, including a McArthur genius grant. Locally, he has choreographed eight ballets for the San Francisco Ballet, and he will curate the Ojai festival, including the Ojai North detour the festival takes through Berkeley.
We chatted with Mr, Morris during Hard Nut rehearsals:
