'Muttcracker' auditions put on the dog at Birmingham Ballet

Published On: 10.28.16 |

By: 7999

‘Muttcracker’ auditions put on the dog at Birmingham Ballet

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Tricks were among the tryouts for dogs seeking stardom in "The Muttcracker" at the Birmingham Ballet. (Phil Free / Alabama NewsCenter)

If you’ve ever thought “The Nutcracker” would be so much better if the dancers had four legs instead of two, the Birmingham Ballet is working up a fetching production for you.

Auditions for “The Muttcracker” were held Oct. 23 to find the canine coryphées that will kick off the Birmingham Ballet’s holiday “The Nutcracker” season on Dec. 9.

Dogs of all shapes, sizes and breeds showed off their best stuff in hopes of making the cut.

“The Muttcracker” by the Birmingham Ballet kicks off its holiday “The Nutcracker” season and benefits the Greater Birmingham Humane Society. (Phil Free / Alabama NewsCenter)

The Birmingham Ballet presents “The Nutcracker” and the “Mutt-Cracker” at the BJCC. (Phil Free / Alabama NewsCenter)

“The Muttcracker” by the Birmingham Ballet kicks off its holiday “The Nutcracker” season and benefits the Greater Birmingham Humane Society. (Phil Free / Alabama NewsCenter)

“Once we’ve seen their personalities and their size and everything about them, we’re able to cast them in ‘The Nutcracker,’ which is really ‘The Muttcracker’ because it has the dogs in it,” said Cindy Free, executive director of the Birmingham Ballet. “Every year it’s different because the dogs are different and they have different skills.”

There will be a lone performance of “The Muttcracker” on Dec. 9 followed by performances of the traditional “The Nutcracker” that weekend.

“The Muttcracker” performance benefits the Greater Birmingham Humane Society. To find a link to buy tickets or for more information, email the Birmingham Ballet at info@birminghamballet.com or visit the ballet’s website.