Nutcracker Rouge, Cirkopolis, Hebe for the Holidays and Sandyland

Nutcracker Rouge; (inset) Jackie Hoffman

Nutcracker Rouge: 2/5 Stars
Cirkopolis: 4/5 Stars
Jackie Hoffman’s Hebe for the Holidays: 4.5/5 Stars
Sandra Bernhard’s Sandyland: 4/5 Stars

Recently extended through January 12, Company XIV’s Nutcracker Rouge is a mixed bag of offerings that boasts hardworking performers in a show that’s rough around the edges. Conceived, directed and choreographed by Austin McCormick with a script adapted and written by Jeff Takacs, Nutcracker Rouge turns the traditional Nutcracker story into one of seduction and sexual awakening. Pretty Marie-Claire, sensitively portrayed and danced by Laura Careless, is guided along her journey of self-discovery by Monsieur and Madame Drosselmeyer, danced by Takacs and Shelly Watson, who both show Marie-Claire a series of sexual “confections” in the form of circus performers and dancers that put a new spin on this holiday classic. (Though it’s a shame the Drosselmeyers wield hand-held microphones like lounge singers and push the audience to buy drinks at a totally unnecessary intermission.)

Though the skill level of the performers is high, and the sets and costumes (by Zane Pihlstrom) are sensational, Takacs’ script is clunky and McCormick’s choreography is confined and uninspired on the Minetta Lane’s smallish stage. More problematic is Takacs himself, who is irritating and self-indulgent as the show’s narrator and guide. A bright spot, in addition to the talent of the performers, is Watson’s singing as Madame Drosselmeyer. Watson’s radiant Soprano cuts through the smoke and mirrors in a way that McCormick’s artistic vision does not.

A show that should have been extended was Cirque Éloize’s Cirkopolis, which recently enjoyed a critically acclaimed run at NYU’s Skirball Center (Dec 18–Jan 5). Based in Old Montreal and currently celebrating their 20th anniversary, Cirque Éloize’s Cirkopolis was co-directed by artistic director Jeannot Painchaud and Dave St-Pierre, with choreography by St-Pierre (who also choreographed Cirque du Soleil’s Zumanity and The Beatles: Love). In Cirkopolis, 13 talented performers created spectacle in small, understated ways. Utilizing balancing, tumbling, juggling, contortion and dance, Cirkopolis found the life and humanity in a world that too often crushes our soul and spirit.

And speaking of crushing souls and spirits, funny ladies Jackie Hoffman and Sandra Bernard recently made appearances at Joe’s Pub to remind us that the holidays are about more than spending money! First up was the indefatigable Hoffman in Hebe for the Holidays (Dec 20–24, Jan 15), proving that her penchant for breathtaking political incorrectness is firmly intact—thank goodness! No subject was taboo, be it school shootings, Stephen Sondheim’s inability to autograph a book to her liking, or her recent stint as an entertainer on a gay cruise—the latter of which provided the centerpiece for her latest holiday show. As always, Hoffman’s co-conspirator on original songs was the adorable Bobby Peaco, and together they ran roughshod over their targets throwing taste, etiquette and style to the wind. You have one chance to see the show before it goes; don’t miss it!

As for Bernhard, who looked like 10 million bucks in a pair of black leather pants and a chic white blouse, her world was Sandyland (Dec 26–31) and we were merely allowed to live in it. Backed by her trusty Mitch Kaplan on piano and her band, The Flawless Zircons, the ageless Bernhard opened with Gordon Lightfoot’s “If You Could Read My Mind” and closed with a hilarious spoof of Miley Cyrus’ “Wrecking Ball,” bedecked in a white wife-beater and white boxer-briefs. Everything that came in between was peppermint icing in the hands of the wry Bernhard, whose lacerating observations and spot-on social commentary remain as sharp and insightful as ever.

Nutcracker Rouge plays through Jan 12 at the Minetta Lane (18 Minetta Lane, NutcrackerRouge.com). Hebe for the Holidays plays Jan 15 at Joe’s Pub (425 Lafayette St, JoesPub.com).