The Mutt-Cracker (SWEET!)

Darren Peterson brings his masterful juggling and unicycling, as well as his gifted dog training. Introducing Circus Chickendog’s newest star, Dragonfly, a 16-week old puppy!  Check out Darren’s puppy-training tips on The VORTEX Instagram. The Mutt-Cracker (SWEET!) provides the most extraordinary original, holiday entertainment in Austin for the holidays at The  VORTEX.

The Mutt-cracker (SWEET!) is written and directed by Melissa Vogt. Tyler Mabry’s live original score  also includes bits of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker Suite. Introducing Elizabeth Neiman as Clara, Nicole  Boyd as Trudy Ballerina, and Daniel Winkler as Fritz. Featuring Patricia Wappner as Mom and Monica  Kurtz as Squirrel. Vikki Schwarz on piano. Demetri Bellini, Scenic Design. Amy Lewis, Lighting Design.  Pam Fletcher Friday, Costume Design. Suzanne Smith, Stage Manager. Blaise Ricin, Choreography.

The Mutt-cracker (SWEET!) is funded and supported in part by VORTEX Repertory Company, a grant  from the Texas Commission on the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

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, Circus Chickendog  performs regularly in Austin at The Institution Theater.

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