Colonel Kenny Crawford, the Operation Test Command’s deputy commander and chief of staff, makes his debut as Fort Hood’s celebrity Mother Ginger for Ballet Austin’s annual presentation of “The Nutcracker” 2 p.m., Dec. 17, at the Long Performing Arts Center in Austin.

Joining a long list of other celebrity Mother Gingers, Crawford is the latest Soldier to trade in his Army Combat Uniform for a tutu and toe shoes. Actually, he doesn’t get to dance or wear typical ballet accessories. The Mother Ginger (or Mother Gigogne, as she’s called in Europe) costume is a tall platform that looks like a skirt. The celebrity, dolled up with heavy makeup, a wild hat and a robust fake décolletage, stands atop the platform and gestures outrageously while the “Bon Bons” (small children) pour out from under the skirted platform, dance about and then disappear back under the “skirt.”

The entire performance takes less than three minutes, but is the comedic highlight of the ballet. Russian composer Pyotr Illyich Tchaikovsky, who scored the ballet, saved his most vulgar music for this sequence. Sounding like a series of fairground tunes, the Mother Ginger sequence is wildly popular in American productions of the ballet.

First performed in San Francisco in 1944, the timeless ballet is staged in countless American cities every year, particularly around Christmas. This will be the 49th performance of Ballet Austin’s “The Nutcracker.”

Beginning in 2004, Fort Hood celebrities joined the ranks of Texas elite like Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, humorist Kinky Friedman, Dell Computers CEO Michael Dell, seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong and former Gov. Ann Richards as those who have performed as Mother Ginger. Vice Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Peter Chiarelli’s wife, Beth, was the first, delighting more than 2,000 ballet lovers while her husband, then the 1st Cavalry Division commanding general, was deployed to Iraq with the division.

Following Chiarelli were OTC Commanding General Brig. Gen. Chris Tucker; OTC’s Command Sgt. Maj. Larry Wilson; OTC Commander Col Curt Potts; OTC Commanding General Brig. Gen. Don MacWillie; and Col. Steve Duke, OTC’s Maneuver Test Director. All performances have been sold out.

“I’m truly looking forward to this experience of a lifetime,” Crawford said. “First, it’s an honor to represent all the Soldiers, (Department of Army) civilians, contractors and their Families at this holiday event.

“Second, and just as importantly, it’s my distinct pleasure to be part of Ballet Austin’s annual tradition and thank them for their support of America’s Soldiers,” he said. “What a great opportunity to be in front of more than two thousand people, many of whom have never had direct contact with the military and get to enjoy the fun right along with them!”

Has Crawford received any advice from former Mother Gingers?

“I haven’t asked for any pointers from anyone, nor have I looked at any of the videos,” he said with a laugh. “I want to make this effort a completely unique performance that has Kenny Crawford’s mark all over it.”

A graduate of Texas A&M University, Crawford completed his post-graduate Senior Service College Fellowship at The University of Texas – Austin. He has served as a company commander twice, assistant division engineer, battalion executive officer, battalion commander, deputy brigade commander and corps G-5. Additionally, he served in combat four different times, supported two humanitarian hurricane relief operations, and has deployed to more than 19 different countries or territories in his 28 years of service.

Tickets are available by going online at www.balletaustin.org or by calling (512) 476-2163.