S2 Ep15: That's So Cincinnati: Cincinnati Ballet's Victoria Morgan, the dog that inspired 'Nutcracker,' watchdog journalism, 1,000 cheese coneys

The Nutcracker isn't unique to Cincinnati.

But Victoria Morgan's version of the ballet classic certainly is. Morgan's dog, Cammy, inspired the poodle character in Morgan's revamping of the Cincinnati Ballet's version of The Nutcracker in 2011.

“I really wanted it to be fresh, and I really wanted it to feel new,” Morgan, the ballet's artistic director, said on That's So Cincinnati podcast. “And I wanted especially young people to get a kick out of it.”

In the Cincinnati Ballet’s version, it’s the poodle that distracts the Mouse King so The Nutcracker can win the battle.

“Our dogs, they protect and give us company and comfort,” Morgan said.

Also on this week's episode, cohosts Jason Williams and Sharon Coolidge discuss watchdog journalism and the man who ate 1,000 cheese coneys.