Audience members of the Christmas Eve performance of Ballet West's "The Nutcracker" received a few surprises.

The special show marked the first of what the ballet company hopes is an annual "nutty nutcracker" tradition, which have become capitol E events for the Houston and San Franciso companies, and others around the country.

One angry patron called the company and requested a ticket refund, said John Roake, director of marketing for Ballet West.

Because Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon was introduced at the show, his office also fielded an angry caller. The man called himself a longtime patron of the company, and requested the county no longer fund the ballet company. The caller complained that the nutty show was a disservice to the ballet, said Jon Hennington, associate public information officer for the mayor's office.

Artistic director Adam Sklute initiated the special performance, and solicited ideas from the dance troupe, said Jodie Fisher, Ballet West's public relations manager. The once-in-the-run performance was announced in the company's season brochure and in newspaper ads, which stated the Dec. 24 performance would include "some Christmas Eve-only surprises that are sure to sweeten your holiday season."

The light-hearted show kept to the classic's choreography, by Ballet West founder Willam F. Christensen, but added some 20 additional touches for observant audience members. Some changes included a recurring "Where's Waldo" character, several additional appearances of the mechanical mouse, the addition of an elf character, and dancers in the snow scene carrying jingle bells instead of swizel sticks. Another significant addition came when Clara's mysterious uncle, Herr Drosselmeyer, unveils a gift of a rubber chicken during the party scene.

Another out-of-the-ordinary moment, which prompted audience laughter from the Christmas Eve crowd: When Clara's father offers Clara's mother, played by dancer Jenny Robinson, a gift of a diamond necklace on stage, the dancer turned to the audience with a quip that ended the party scene. "He went to Jared's," Robinson said, quoting the tagline from the advertisement of a national jewelry chain.

"Ironically, the sponsor that night was O.C. Tanner," Roake said. "They were OK with it. It was a joke."

In some cities, the entire "nutty Nutcracker" alters the traditional choreography, such as in Houston, where the story has been set on the Starship Enterprise. "As I understand it, it's their most popular show of the season," Roake said. "This one was really calm."

The show usually sells only about 60 percent of tickets for the Christmas Eve show, but was in more demand and nearly sold out this year, he said.

Roake and Fisher agreed some patrons might not have known about the additions, and if the "nutty nutcracker" concept is continued, they might stage it on another night, or better inform potential ticket buyers.