The Mutt-Cracker (SWEET!)
by Circus Chickendog
Dec. 19 - Dec. 29
The Mutt-Cracker (SWEET!) provides the most extraordinary original, holiday entertainment in Austin for the holidays at The VORTEX. Darren Peterson brings his masterful juggling and unicycling, as well his gifted dog-training. This year’s production features our canine stars: the brilliant and talented Firefly, Dragonfly, and Coyote, along with our newest talented puppy in her Mutt-Cracker debut - Butterfly!
The Mutt-Cracker (SWEET!) is written and directed by Melissa McKnight. Tyler Mabry’s live original score also includes Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker Suite with Vikki Schwarz on piano. Featuring Olivia Rose McCain as Clara, Nicole Boyd as Trudy Ballerina, Patricia Wappner as Mom, Monica Kurtz as Firefly, and Balyssa Bell as the multi-talented acro-artist. Lighting Design by Amy Lewis. Costume Design by Pam Fletcher Friday. Choreography by Blaise Ricin. Stage Management by Fernando Lara. Assistant Stage Management by Wolf Vepstas. Producing Artistic Director, Bonnie Cullum.
Due to the extraordinary demand and popularity of this show, we strongly recommend advanced purchase.
Performed INSIDE the theatre on the intimate Eloise Brooks Cullum Stage!
The Mutt-Cracker (SWEET!) is funded and supported in part by VORTEX Repertory Company, Six Square Austin’s Black Cultural District, and by the City of Austin Economic Development Department. We are a proud member of ATX Theatre.
Circus Chickendog is an Austin-based troupe that has been entertaining audiences for decades. Previously featured nationally on David Letterman, Pet Star, and Donny and Marie (Osmond), Circus Chickendog performs regularly in Austin and around Central Texas. Six-time Ironman Darren Peterson received a BS in Mathematics from the University of Texas at Austin after interrupting his college studies for two years to join the Royal Lichtenstein Circus where he was the main juggler and unicyclist. After graduation, Darren taught High School math for three years and worked as an editor of math textbooks for four years. While editing math books, Chicken Dog began winning Disc Dog competitions, and Darren combined her tricks with his circus skills and became so popular that he no longer had time to edit math books. Chickendog.net
https://www.circa.com/story/
The Mutt-Cracker (SWEET!)
by Darren Peterson and Circus Chickendog
Circus Chickendog
December 19 - 29, 2026
every day except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
The Vortex, Manor Road, Austin
Tickets available online HERE: https://vortexrep.org/38_mutt_cracker_sweet
[ASL-Interpreted Dec. 20th & 27th 6:30pm] [Live Stream 12/21/25 4:30pm]
